Dramaturge Presentation Coach

“Denise Hart is a fantastic and insightful coach. She worked with me in preparation for a televised lecture 

and helped me craft my talk and to more effectively present for television and large public audiences. Her coaching was indispensable!” 

~ Scot Brown, Professor of African American Studies and History (Howard University)

In 2016 Denise's episode was Nominated for a Lone Star Emmy

Blackademics  National Television Series

Taped in front of a live audience at KLRU-TV station in Austin Texas, Blackademics Television is a Lone Star Emmy nominated television series that airs nationally on PBS. 

As a dramaturge presentation coach with Blackademics I have worked with social activists and academic scholars from a variety of disciplines, journalists and entrepreneurs who care deeply about policies that impact the US and the world. 

2020 was my  sixth and final year consulting as a scholar presentation/media coach. 

Blackademics TV is a unique opportunity for me to utilize my expertise as a researcher, writer and my knowledge of public-focused dramaturgy. Public-focused dramaturgical efforts function to contextualize and offer frameworks for interpretation, critique and analysis.

The focus of the Blackademics series is to offer scholarship to local, national and global communities through live studio participation, the internet and television. 

In my role I provide support and training for a cohort of up to six nationally and internationally recognized scholars, artists and activists preparing them to write compelling scholarly researched based presentations to communicate their research focus for a television audience and conduct interactive, engaging academic presentations for a live audience.

The scholar presenters are the "face" of the series. With my help, scholar presenters create a nine minute segment that focuses on their research expertise and interest. 

The finished product reaches approximately 3 million television viewers and airs in Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and Florida. The seres is also available via the internet on the 350 PBS member stations that serve all 50 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. 

Below are some of the scholars I coached during my time with Blackademics!

2019 Scholar Cohort

Denise J. Hart
An Associate Professor of playwriting and dramaturgy in the Department of Theatre Arts at Howard University.  Her research spans the works of August Wilson, Lydia Diamond and the 108 year history of Black Theatre on the campus of Howard University.  She also serves as the managing editor of Continuum: The Journal of Black Theatre, Drama and Performance. 
Terrell Starr'
Journalist and political commentator Terrell Starr's experiences as an African American living in the former Soviet Union provides him a unique perspective on U.S.-Russian politics, as well on race relations in the U.S. Starr is a Fulbright fellow and senior reporter for The Root and has also published articles in the N.Y. Times, Washington Post and other major news outlets. 
Dr. Terri Givens
 A leading researcher and commentator on race, politics an immigration policy in Europe. Her single author and co-authored books include: Voting Radical Right in Western Europe (2012); Immigrant Politics: Race and Representation in Western Europe (2012); and Immigration Policy and Security (2008). Her most recent book is Legislating Equality: The Politics of Antidiscrimination Policy in Europe (Oxford University Press, 2014). 
Dr. Mohan Ambikaipaker
 iAn Associate Professor of critical race theory and postcolonial studies in the Department of Communication at Tulane University. His research spans Britain, the US, and Malaysia and has been published in several journals, including Postcolonial Studies, Ethnic and Racial Studies and Communication, and Culture & Critique. 

2018 Scholar Cohort

Dr. Paula Gerstenblatt
 An Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Southern Maine confronts her own racism in the journey of raising mixed race kids.
Dr. Robert Adams
A Senior Vice President of Programs at the NEA Foundation, an educational philanthropic organization located in Washington, D.C., a cultural anthropologist encourages thoughtful listening with a talk on the art of the cab ride.
Dr. Victor B. Sáenz
an Associate Professor in the Program in Higher Education Leadership offers a successful program for mentoring Latino males. 
Dr. Venus E. Evans-Winters
An Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations at College of Education at Illinois State discusses Racialized Trauma: Inside and Outside of Schools
Chef Kabui 
An international chef, encourages sustainable organic food use with a focus on Afro-futuristic conscious cuisine to liberate African food...and it includes health, justice and sustainability
Dr. Kevin Foster 
Discusses Soul Train and the value of independent black television programs. 

2017 Scholar Cohort

Dr. Sharrell Luckett 
An Assistant Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies at Muhlenberg College, discusses methods from her book  she is Black Acting Methods: Critical Approaches, a groundbreaking book that is the first book to highlight diverse acting/directing methods rooted in Afrocentrism.
Dr. Rolf Straubhaar 
An Assistant Research Scientist in the Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education at the University of Georgia discusses Afro-Brazilian's Education Activism
Tequia Hicks Delgado
An Obama White House staffer talks about career advancement with Allies, Advocates and Investors
Yewande K. Austin
 An award-winning lecturer, activist and honorary U. S. Cultural Ambassador discusses the importance of music and the arts as tools for education and empowerment.
Dr LaGarrett King 
An Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Curriculum Expert on Rethinking the role of Black History in American Schools
Dr. Jeanine M. Staples
Jeanine Staples is Associate Professor of Literacy and Language, African American Studies, and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Penn State, talks about deeper self-love and self-care

2016 Scholar Cohort 

Ben Gilbarg
A TV/ film producer and director who presents on how to empower and engage youth through social programs
Kelley Glover A vocalist, dancer, actress, and music instructor who also created a children’s music literacy cartoon and sight singing game app called, U BETTER SING! Kelley will be presenting on youth empowerment through music education.
 Jeremiah & Joshua West 
Young entrepreneurs from around the United States inspire with their business successes and community engagement.  Two young entrepreneurs & authors, teaching kids how to manage money.
Mikaila Ulmer
Founder of Me & the Bees Lemonade, present on the importance of bees to the ecosystem and why and how she started her successful Lemonade business that is now featured in stores like Whole Foods Market!

2015 Scholar Cohort

CEO Natalie Cofield, President of Black Chamber of Commerce Austin Texas. 
Shares the history and importance of black entrepreneurship and economic equity. 
Professor Scot Brown, African American Studies and History at UCLA
"Funk Wars 1980: Decoding the Rick James/Prince Feud" 
Dr. Scot Brown discusses the Rick James/Prince feud and the importance of music education 
Dr. Whitney Battle-Baptiste, Director of W.E. Dubois center at University of Massachusetts
"Moving Mountains and Liberating Dialogues: My life as a black feminist archaeologist"  
Dr. Zetta Elliott discusses causes and solutions to the lack of diversity in children’s literature. 
"Afro-Urban Magic in Youth Adult History Fantasy"
Dr. Elizabeth Chin explores the innovative methods of anthropologist and dancer Katherine Dunham.
"Ka Dance Technique: Embodying Diaspora Histories and Struggles"  
Dr. Jonathan Gayles examines the history and fatal consequences of the “dangerous giant negro” myth. 
"Fear, Fascination and Fetish: The Black Masculine Body as National Conundrum"