Dr. Jelani Cobb to Headline Facing History’s Southeast Benefit in Memphis

In a time of national polarization and deep division, Facing History & Ourselves is proud to stand with educators and communities across Memphis and the South to advance a vision of education that promotes critical thinking, empathy, and civic responsibility. Facing History will host its 2025 Southeast Benefit on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center in Memphis. The evening will feature keynote speaker Dr. Jelani Cobb, an acclaimed journalist, historian, and dean of the Columbia Journalism School. A powerful voice on race, democracy, and American history, Dr. Cobb will offer critical insight into how our past shapes our present—and how education can help chart a more just future.