Crystal deGregory

A historian and storyteller whose research interests include black higher education and college student activism, DR. CRYSTAL A. DEGREGORY is the inaugural director of the Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. She is also the founder of the HBCU advocacy initiative HBCUstory, is convener of the HBCUstory Symposium, and serves as founding editor-in-chief of The Journal of HBCU Research + Culture.

A favored speaker public speaker and sought-after commentator, Dr. deGregory offers a wide-range of expertise on multiple topics including history, culture, education, black fraternity and sorority life, and of course, HBCUs. In addition to regularly contributing to HBCUstory.org and The HBCU Digest, her words have appeared in The New York Times and USA Today, and she has presented to audiences across the US and beyond including at TEDx and SXSWedu.

She is a proud native of The Bahamas and a Phi Beta Kappa alumna of the historic Fisk University; Dr. deGregory also earned Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in history from Vanderbilt University, and a Master of Education from Tennessee State University. Among her many professional and civic affiliations is trusteeship of The Kamalamee Organization and membership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

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