Clayborne Carson

Dr. Clayborne Carson, a distinguished professor of history at Stanford University, led the Martin Luther King Jr., Research and Education Institute until his retirement in 2020. His tenure at Stanford had been marked by significant contributions to historical research, notably the Martin Luther King Papers Project, which he directed since 1985. Carson's dedication to chronicling history also earned him recognition in the literary sphere, with his first book, "In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s," receiving the Fredrick Jackson Turner Award in 1982.

Carson's expertise extended beyond academia, as he served as the Historical Adviser for the Oscar-nominated film "Freedom on My Mind" in 1995. His academic pursuits have been recognized by several institutions, including his election as a member of the Society of American Historians in 1991 and his role in the winning team for the international design competition for the National Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2000. In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Carson to serve as a member of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board, further cementing his importance in the field of civil rights history.

Throughout his career, Carson made numerous public appearances to discuss his work and related topics. For example, in 2013, he appeared on the Tavis Smiley show on PBS to discuss "Martin's Dream," further showcasing his ability to engage with audiences. With a history of activism, a strong academic background from UCLA College of Letters and Science, and affiliations with prestigious institutions such as Morehouse College, Carson's work has been instrumental in documenting and analyzing the historical impact of civil rights movements in the United States.