Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
@profblmkelley.bsky.social
/writer/historian/ph.d./award-winning author of Black Folk/president @natlhumanities /breast cancer survivor/The Oracle
Finding my 3-times great grandfather, Henry Rucker, registering to vote in 1867 was life changing. He did so at great risk to life and livelihood, but he did it anyway.
Honored to commemorate the day that those rights were Constitutionally enshrined, still sacred & paid for at great sacrifice.
Honored to commemorate the day that those rights were Constitutionally enshrined, still sacred & paid for at great sacrifice.
February 3, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Finding my 3-times great grandfather, Henry Rucker, registering to vote in 1867 was life changing. He did so at great risk to life and livelihood, but he did it anyway.
Honored to commemorate the day that those rights were Constitutionally enshrined, still sacred & paid for at great sacrifice.
Honored to commemorate the day that those rights were Constitutionally enshrined, still sacred & paid for at great sacrifice.
Feb. 1, 1960, 4 NC A&T students sat-in at the “whites only” counter at Woolworths in Greensboro. Their defiance ignited a movement led to the birth of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do.
#BlackHistoryMonth
Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do.
#BlackHistoryMonth
February 1, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Feb. 1, 1960, 4 NC A&T students sat-in at the “whites only” counter at Woolworths in Greensboro. Their defiance ignited a movement led to the birth of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do.
#BlackHistoryMonth
Young people fuel movements. It is inspiring to see that today they still do.
#BlackHistoryMonth
Thrilled to be your speaker for this year!
Join us Jan 13 for a conversation on service and solidarity. ✊🏾
We welcome historian Dr. Blair Kelley @profblmkelley.bsky.social as guest speaker for our annual MLK Day Celebration.
🗓️ Tue, Jan 13 @ 12 PM ET 🔗 Details: afgelocal17.org/afge-local-1...
We welcome historian Dr. Blair Kelley @profblmkelley.bsky.social as guest speaker for our annual MLK Day Celebration.
🗓️ Tue, Jan 13 @ 12 PM ET 🔗 Details: afgelocal17.org/afge-local-1...
MLK Day Celebration: Join AFGE Local 17 for a Powerful Moment of Unity - AFGE Local 17
Celebrate Dr. King's legacy! Join AFGE Local 17's virtual MLK Day celebration, featuring historian Dr. Blair Kelley. Register now.
afgelocal17.org
January 11, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Thrilled to be your speaker for this year!
Just in case you missed this article about the erosion of the 14th and 15th Amendments during the holiday. Important reporting by @adamserwer.bsky.social
The right, along the Roberts Court, is trying to nullify the Reconstruction amendments guaranteeing equality under the law, in order to restore the Antebellum Constitution, which envisions “liberty” as an eternal aristocracy of race and class (gift link) www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
December 27, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Just in case you missed this article about the erosion of the 14th and 15th Amendments during the holiday. Important reporting by @adamserwer.bsky.social
I'm so sorry, keep speaking, keep fighting. I'm deeply convinced that most people who aren't directly affected are deeply unaware. We spent decades talking about the environment only to turn around and wreck unprecedented havoc.
We are fighting data centers in our little town and the big wigs just keep going around us. They tried to pass it under the table but people found out and turned out. We got it voted down. Then they took it to court saying we weren't allowed to speak. Now republican courts are undermining us. *sob*
December 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I'm so sorry, keep speaking, keep fighting. I'm deeply convinced that most people who aren't directly affected are deeply unaware. We spent decades talking about the environment only to turn around and wreck unprecedented havoc.
Reposted by Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
We are fighting data centers in our little town and the big wigs just keep going around us. They tried to pass it under the table but people found out and turned out. We got it voted down. Then they took it to court saying we weren't allowed to speak. Now republican courts are undermining us. *sob*
December 26, 2025 at 9:07 PM
We are fighting data centers in our little town and the big wigs just keep going around us. They tried to pass it under the table but people found out and turned out. We got it voted down. Then they took it to court saying we weren't allowed to speak. Now republican courts are undermining us. *sob*
The question people ask me most in my current position is about AI. People passionately opposed to AI, people who believe it is the answer to all our problems, people who wonder what it will mean for the humanities. However most people change the subject when I mention the people bearing AI's costs.
December 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The question people ask me most in my current position is about AI. People passionately opposed to AI, people who believe it is the answer to all our problems, people who wonder what it will mean for the humanities. However most people change the subject when I mention the people bearing AI's costs.
Reposted by Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
Ajamu A. Dillahunt-Holloway’s review of Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class ( @wwnorton.com ) by Blair LM Kelley ( @profblmkelley.bsky.social )
December 23, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Ajamu A. Dillahunt-Holloway’s review of Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class ( @wwnorton.com ) by Blair LM Kelley ( @profblmkelley.bsky.social )
AI is just scraping what already exists while historians are putting the materials of the past together in new and unexpected ways. Drawing on the insights, teaching, and ways of knowing that are intangible. No comparison.
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 21, 2025 at 10:28 PM
AI is just scraping what already exists while historians are putting the materials of the past together in new and unexpected ways. Drawing on the insights, teaching, and ways of knowing that are intangible. No comparison.
Reposted by Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
Breaking: The University of Virginia's Board of Visitors named a new president Friday: Scott Beardsley, dean of UVA's Darden School of Business since 2015.
Beardsley called the selection "the honor of my life."
Beardsley called the selection "the honor of my life."
UVA board selects Scott Beardsley as new president
Beardsley, a longtime consultant, has led the Darden School of Business since 2015.
www.vpm.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Breaking: The University of Virginia's Board of Visitors named a new president Friday: Scott Beardsley, dean of UVA's Darden School of Business since 2015.
Beardsley called the selection "the honor of my life."
Beardsley called the selection "the honor of my life."
Reposted by Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
Join our team! We’re hiring a Vice President of Development to advance our organization’s philanthropic mission. Visit our website for more information about the position, including how to apply.
Careers at the National Humanities Center | National Humanities Center
The National Humanities Center is looking for amazing and talented humanists. Join our team!
nationalhumanitiescenter.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Join our team! We’re hiring a Vice President of Development to advance our organization’s philanthropic mission. Visit our website for more information about the position, including how to apply.
Thankful to have the strength to make this wonderful meal this year. #Blairiscooking
November 28, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Thankful to have the strength to make this wonderful meal this year. #Blairiscooking
This one is for my son, his fave triple chocolate, chocolate cake, extra chocolate icing. Candied yams up next... #Blairiscooking
November 27, 2025 at 1:20 AM
This one is for my son, his fave triple chocolate, chocolate cake, extra chocolate icing. Candied yams up next... #Blairiscooking
First cake is for a family friend. Yellow cake/chocolate icing. Getting dropped off soon! #blairiscooking
November 27, 2025 at 12:30 AM
First cake is for a family friend. Yellow cake/chocolate icing. Getting dropped off soon! #blairiscooking
Reposted by Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
Dr. @profblmkelley.bsky.social speaks to this in her book: uncpress.org/978080787101...
Right to Ride
Through a reexamination of the earliest struggles against Jim Crow, Blair Kelley exposes the fullness of African American efforts to resist the passage of se...
uncpress.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Dr. @profblmkelley.bsky.social speaks to this in her book: uncpress.org/978080787101...
We are honored and thrilled to welcome Dr. Vinson to the Center this year.
Congratulations to Dr. Ben Vinson III on being named the inaugural NHC Presidential Fellow. The Presidential Fellowship recognizes the accomplishments of distinguished scholars and humanities leaders and invites them to participate in the robust intellectual life of the Center. #humanities
Ben Vinson III Appointed as Inaugural Presidential Fellow | National Humanities Center
The National Humanities Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ben Vinson III as its inaugural Presidential Fellow.
nationalhumanitiescenter.org
November 8, 2025 at 6:01 PM
We are honored and thrilled to welcome Dr. Vinson to the Center this year.
What an amazing and powerful conversation we had @natlhumanities Monday! Building the groundwork!
It was a pleasure to welcome representatives of The NC10 to the Center yesterday to discuss the challenges facing NC-based HBCUs and think about ways to amplify the humanities on their campuses. #humanities
November 5, 2025 at 5:34 AM
What an amazing and powerful conversation we had @natlhumanities Monday! Building the groundwork!
Reposted by Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
Congratulations to Signe Cohen (NHC Fellow, 2025–26) for receiving this honor!
We are thrilled to announce that I, YANTRA by Signe Cohen has been named the Winner of the 2025 Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion: Textual Studies by @aarweb.bsky.social
#WinnerWednesday #ReadUP tinyurl.com/yebmaz3r
#WinnerWednesday #ReadUP tinyurl.com/yebmaz3r
October 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Congratulations to Signe Cohen (NHC Fellow, 2025–26) for receiving this honor!
Always a pleasure to speak to Leoneda Inge and the Due South team about Black history!
NHC President and Director @profblmkelley.bsky.social recently appeared on @wunc.org's "Due South" to share insights on the complex history of mutual aid in the US and in the lives of Black Southerners. #Skystorians
The lasting impact of immediate support: mutual aid's mark after Helene and Chantal. Plus, a history of mutual aid among Black Southerners.
“Mutual aid” is a phrase that received renewed attention during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the U.S. has a long history of mutual aid. Leoneda Inge talks with two scholars. Then, two helpers with Trian...
www.wunc.org
October 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Always a pleasure to speak to Leoneda Inge and the Due South team about Black history!
Headed to Atlanta for ASALH. Hoping to see you there!
September 26, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Headed to Atlanta for ASALH. Hoping to see you there!
Reposted by Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
Congratulations to Tressie McMillan Cottom (NHC Fellow, 2025–26), recipient of the 2025 Thomas Wolfe Prize.
As this year’s recipient, Cottom will deliver the annual Thomas Wolfe Lecture on September 30 at UNC-Chapel Hill.
As this year’s recipient, Cottom will deliver the annual Thomas Wolfe Lecture on September 30 at UNC-Chapel Hill.
A tiny announcement about this year’s Thomas Wolfe prize.
englishcomplit.unc.edu/program/wolfe/
Sep. 30.
englishcomplit.unc.edu/program/wolfe/
Sep. 30.
September 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Congratulations to Tressie McMillan Cottom (NHC Fellow, 2025–26), recipient of the 2025 Thomas Wolfe Prize.
As this year’s recipient, Cottom will deliver the annual Thomas Wolfe Lecture on September 30 at UNC-Chapel Hill.
As this year’s recipient, Cottom will deliver the annual Thomas Wolfe Lecture on September 30 at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Reposted by Blair LM Kelley, Ph.D.
Did you know 1,783 books have resulted from NHC fellowships?
Over the past five decades, the Center has been privileged to support the work of some of the world’s leading humanists, and to enlist their expertise on behalf of its programs for educators and public #humanities work.
Over the past five decades, the Center has been privileged to support the work of some of the world’s leading humanists, and to enlist their expertise on behalf of its programs for educators and public #humanities work.
September 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Did you know 1,783 books have resulted from NHC fellowships?
Over the past five decades, the Center has been privileged to support the work of some of the world’s leading humanists, and to enlist their expertise on behalf of its programs for educators and public #humanities work.
Over the past five decades, the Center has been privileged to support the work of some of the world’s leading humanists, and to enlist their expertise on behalf of its programs for educators and public #humanities work.
We stand with the Smithsonian.
The National Humanities Center stands firmly in support of the Smithsonian Institution, its administration, and its museum professionals. Please read the complete statement on our website.
Statement in Support of the Smithsonian Institution | National Humanities Center
The National Humanities Center stands firmly in support of the Smithsonian Institution, its administration, and its museum professionals. The Smithsonian must be allowed to fulfill its mission without...
bit.ly
August 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
We stand with the Smithsonian.
When folks at CBS clap back at each other about the role of slavery in history... youtu.be/xkPYmz3dMBA?... got to love it...
Reporter's Notebook: American exceptionalism and confronting slavery's horrors
YouTube video by CBS Evening News
youtu.be
August 21, 2025 at 9:53 PM
When folks at CBS clap back at each other about the role of slavery in history... youtu.be/xkPYmz3dMBA?... got to love it...