William Loren Katz | Black Indians. Black West.
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Native and Black Indians dance together
"Bill Katz is one of my favorite writers of history. In books such as
The Black West, Black Indians: A Hidden History, Black Women of the Old West — and three dozen others — he digs up stories that have not been told, introduces us to people and events that have been shamefully ignored, and does it all in clear, clean prose. His books and lectures are driven by a powerful social conscience, and he passes that on."
— Howard Zinn
A tremendous contribution to African American history —Prof. Henry Louis Gates, Harvard University
Lectures

Seminole Marriage For half a century, as William Loren Katz wrote forty books and edited 212 research volumes, he also become an acclaimed lecturer — from New York's American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institution, The Western History Association to Johns Hopkins University, The Institute for Texan Cultures, and the Schomburg Library and more than fifty other universities, museums, and libraries; on network TV and radio; and in Europe and Africa. He has hosted his own history news program on Pacifica radio.

Katz's books and illustrated lectures have won praise from Dr. John Hope Franklin, Howard Zinn, Alice Walker, Dr. Cornel West, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Dr. Ralph Bunche, and Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

William Loren Katz's lectures explore vital historical issues:

  • For centuries Africans and Indians battle against European invaders and slaveholders changed history.
  • To defeat people of color Europeans stressed "divide and rule."
  • Black women and men built dozens of frontier towns
  • Black Indian lawmen, scouts and outlaws shaped western territories
  • Does U.S. racial thinking still impact people of color?

In 2008 the Oberlin Heritage Center hosted Katz's lectures and received an "Excellence Award" from Ohio's Association of Historical Societies and Museums. It also received an "outstanding accomplishment certificate" from the Ohio State Assembly and Senate for inviting the "nationally known scholar, historian and educator, William Loren Katz."

For a list of Katz's past presentations and upcoming lectures, please visit the Appearances section.

Reviews
"The Powerpoint presentations on Black Indians and The Black West were tremendous programs inspiring much dialogue."
— Patricia Murphy, Executive Director, The Oberlin Heritage Center

"In just over an hour Mr. Katz's documented stories and fascinating images impart enormous amounts of information, and also generate tangible audience excitement. Since his vivid examples and fetching humor easily connect with listeners, he has consistently filled our Museum's lecture halls to capacity." Read complete review.
— Roberto Mucaro Borrero, Senior Program Coordinator, Public Programs, Department of Education, The American Museum of Natural History

"During his four-day visit in Denver, Mr Katz gave wonderful slide presentations, now adapted to PowerPoint, that provided information seldom addressed or acknowledged in the classroom or society at large, and whihc inlcuded rare photographs that reflected the authenticity of his words...I personally found him to be warm and engaging and really able to reach people. His wealth of knowledge and the striking images he provided were powerful in and of themselves."
— Jacquelyn Benton, Professor of African American Studies, The Metropolitan State College of Denver