Hello, and welcome to my speaking page. This page provides an overview of the experience and expertise I have to offer. I hope this page will make it easy for you to get the information you need to make your event a raging success. Thank you for considering me. I am deeply honored.
--DaShanne Stokes
By the time he earned his doctorate, DaShanne had already established himself as a thought leader with insightful views on a range of important social and political issues. I can't wait to see what he does next. --Dr. Mike Friedman, clinical psychologist, Psychology Today and Huffington Post contributor
Dr. Stokes reveals the depth of injustice waged upon those who have been marginalized and who might be otherwise left silenced if not for courageous voices, like his. --Amanda H.L. Transue-Woolston, speaker and author of "The Declassified Adoptee"
DaShanne's fresh perspective and unique experience challenges our preconceptions and leads us to think more deeply about today's social problems and illuminates important means to address them. --Dr. C. Richard King, author of "Redskins: Insult and Brand" and "Beyond Hate: White Power and Popular Culture"
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Invite Dr. Stokes
- What You Can Expect
- About Dr. DaShanne Stokes
- Press Clips
- Speaking Topics
- Bio Talking Points and Audience Introduction
- How to Pronounce DaShanne Stokes' Name
- Promotions
- Past Television and Radio Appearances
- Past Invited Talks and Lectures
- Past Presentations at Professional Conferences
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Provide a Testimonial
INVITE DR. STOKES
For speaking inquiries, please use this form or email
speaking (at) dashannestokes (dot) com
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Here's a brief overview of what you can expect in booking Dr. Stokes for your event:
- A professionally prepared and delivered presentation, tailored to resonate with your audience and achieve your desired event outcomes.
- Lively commentary, penetrating analysis, and a moving discussion about issues important to your organization and audience.
- The expertise of a trained research scholar, an experienced speaker and educator, and widely published author.
- Prompt and professional responses to your phone calls and emails.
- A personal consultation with Dr. Stokes prior to the event, so he can better understand how to serve you and connect with your audience.
- Announcements about your event across Dr. Stokes' platform, including his website and social media (for events that you'd like help publicizing and that are open to the public).
- A quick follow-up after the event, to ensure Dr. Stokes met your expectations.
ABOUT DR. DASHANNE STOKES
Dr. DaShanne Stokes is an expert on American politics, culture, and civil rights. He has studied domestic and international politics, American foreign policy, power, propaganda, inequality, Native American issues, religious freedom, civil rights--and the complex challenges and contradictions these entail.
Dr. Stokes has been writing and speaking publicly for over a decade. His work has appeared in books, academic journals, and nationally renowned publications like The Huffington Post, The Advocate, and Indian Country Today. He has been quoted around the world in books and major outlets like The Hill, BET, MSN.com, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Philadelphia Inquirer, and International Business Times. He has also spoken at prestigious scholarly conferences and has been an invited college speaker. Dr. Stokes has also been a frequently sought-after television and radio commentator featured on NBC, CBS, MSN.com and other local, national, and international media.
Dr. Stokes' scholarly work investigates politics, culture, inequality, and how power is coded, hidden, and reproduced. In his doctoral dissertation, he gathered and analyzed data supporting a theoretical framework he originated that helps scholars and policy makers understand how and why countries are (and sometimes are not) recognized politically as states--a conflicting process that has shaped major social and political conflicts, wars, and even the suppression of citizens' rights. He is currently developing new research investigating the American presidency and LGBT inequality.
DaShanne Stokes received his B.S. from the University of South Dakota in biology, a master's degree from Boston University in psychology, and a second master's degree from Minnesota State University in sociology. He is received his doctorate in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2016. Learn more >>
PRESS CLIPS
Dr. Stokes has been mentioned in numerous press and media sources, such as The Huffington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Examiner.com. To read Dr. Stokes' press clips, please click here.
SPEAKING TOPICS
- American Politics (Domestic and International)
- Politics and Power
- The Media and Political Propaganda
- Donald Trump and the Trump Administration
- LGBT Rights and Equality
- Civil Rights and Social Justice
- Race and Ethnicity
- Racism and Discrimination
- Religious Freedom
- Adoption and Adoptee Rights
- The Boy Scouts' Anti-Gay Policy and Membership Controversy
- Native American issues
- Native American and ethnic team names and mascots
- The Eagle Feather Law (50 CFR 22)
- Political / Diplomatic Recognition of States
- Federal Recognition of Native American Tribes
- The Recognition of Tibet, Taiwan, and Palestine
- The Art and Craft of Memoir
SAMPLE SPEAKING TOPICS
Donald Trump and the Trump Administration Controversies
The 2016 U.S. presidential election divided America. From Trump's infamous sexism and bigotry to election interference by the Russian government, no American president has raised so many controversies or questions that cut to the heart of what it means to be American and what lies in store for the future of our nation. Drawing on his expertise as a political scholar, Dr. Stokes has been an outspoken commentator about Donald Trump and the Trump administration. His commentaries and analyses have been featured in The Huffington Post and have been quoted around the world in major outlets like The Hill, BET, and MSN.com.
Coming Out in the Midst of the Orlando Massacre
In 2015, Dr. Stokes worked alongside Scouts for Equality to increase visibility in support of changing the Boy Scouts' discriminatory policy excluding LGBT adults. In his article featured on the Front Page of The Huffington Post, entitled "Coming Out in the Midst of the Orlando Massacre," he discusses his experiences with living in fear, hiding his identity as bisexual, and what lead him to come out of hiding in the midst of the 2016 terrorist attack against a gay nightclub in Orlando, an attack that claimed the life of 49 LGBT people. Dr. Stokes argues that "Only by speaking out can we create lasting change. And that change begins with coming out."
The Face of Racism
Since the election of Barack Obama, many people have been lured into thinking that we have moved into a post-racial society, but racism remains alive and well in the United States. As someone who has experienced both unearned privilege for being racially white, but who has also experienced discrimination for being Native American and for having a "black-sounding" name, DaShanne Stokes has a unique perspective on the state of racism in the United States. In his numerous published articles, media appearances, and university lectures, Dr. Stokes lays bare the unsettling truth about racism in the U.S., why it persists, and what we can do to be a force for change.
Our Fight for Religious Freedom
As someone whose religious freedom has long been denied by the federal government, Dr. DaShanne Stokes has a unique perspective on the First Amendment, the ongoing fight for religious freedom, and what it means to be a U.S. citizen. From 2005 to 2008, Dr. Stokes served as the founder and director of the political advocacy group Religious Freedom with Raptors, the first organization dedicated to changing the federal "eagle feather law," (50 CFR 22) so as to protect religious freedom and promote racial equality. Dr. Stokes' work on religious freedom has appeared in books, publications like The Chronicle of Higher Education and Indian Country Today, and made him a sought-after guest on local and national radio.
Realizing LBGT Equality: The Boy Scouts of America Anti-Gay Policy and Membership Controversy
As an Eagle Scout, DaShanne Stokes witnessed the devastating impact of homophobia when a close friend was thrown out of the Boy Scouts for being gay. As a voice for inclusive scouting with advanced degrees in psychology and sociology, Dr. Stokes combines research and personal experiences to analyze the personal and societal level effects of the Boy Scouts' anti-gay policy and membership controversy, and to shed light on how we can engineer true equality for LGBT people.
Adoptee Rights Are Your Rights, Too
Adoptees come from every race, gender, and sexual orientation. They are your mothers and fathers, your sisters and brothers, your lovers, friends, and coworkers. In the U.S., they number 6 million strong, but their voices touch the lives of tens of millions more. Drawing on recent and historical events, scientific research, and compelling personal experiences as a late discovery adoptee and an advocate for adoptee rights, Dr. Stokes explains how the issue of adoptee rights is about much more than a piece of paper. It is about a fundamental human right we all share, the right to know who we are and where we come from--and realizing true equality for all.
What is it Like Growing Up (Un)Adopted?
Having accidentally discovered that he was adopted at the age of 20 while trying to win his religious freedom, DaShanne Stokes's experiences are as uncommon as they are unsettling. Drawing on harrowing and inspiring events described in his work featured in Adoption Today as well as his forthcoming memoir, Recomposition, Dr. Stokes offers a unique perspective on the meaning of family as well as what it's like to learn about being adopted, the value of family diversity and multiculturalism, and how to find one's place in the adoption community.
BIO TALKING POINTS AND AUDIENCE INTRODUCTION
You can download DaShanne Stokes' audience introduction and biographical talking points here.
HOW TO PRONOUNCE DASHANNE STOKES' NAME
"DaShanne" is pronounced Duh-Shane, similar to the name Dwayne except replacing "wayne" with "Shanne". It has two syllables, and it is all one name. There are no pauses between the two syllables, and there are no spaces between any of the letters when the name is written or printed. Note that this is just like the name Shane, except that it has a quick and soft d in front of it. Please note that this is a short, soft d, not not a long or hard d like when you say the letter d (which is pronounced dee or 'dē). A dictionary pronunciation guide would look something like this: d'shān.
Dr. Stokes' last name, "Stokes," rhymes with "pokes."
PROMOTIONS
Whenever promoting Dr. Stokes' work, please link to http://www.dashannestokes.com.
When posting a review or promotion, please let Dr. Stokes know so that your promotion can be added to or linked from www.dashannestokes.com.
PAST TELEVISION AND RADIO APPEARANCES
Dr. Stokes appeared on Out Chicago, to discuss the First Amendment Defense Act and claims of religious freedom used to attack LGBT rights on August 7, 2016.
Dr. Stokes appeared on MSN.com, "Boy Scouts Expected To Ratify Resolution To Allow Gay Scoutmasters," July 27, 2015.
Dr. Stokes appeared on NBC, "Boy Scout Board Approves End to Blanket Ban on Gay Adults," July 27, 2015.
Dr. Stokes appeared on CBS, "Boy Scouts Expected To Ratify Resolution To Allow Gay Scoutmasters," July 27, 2015.
Dr. Stokes appeared on Progressive Voices, "How Homophobia is Hurting Our Nation's Foster Children." November 10, 2015. (Broadcast nationally)
Dr. Stokes appeared on The Robert Christian Show, "DaShanne Stokes Civil Rights Activist." June 19, 2015.
Dr. Stokes appeared on This Show is So Gay, Interview About the Boy Scouts' Anti-Gay Policy, the Ethnic Team Name and Mascot Controversy, and Native American Religious Freedom and the Eagle Feather Law. June 4, 2015. (Broadcast nationally)
Dr. Stokes appeared on Out Chicago, The Boy Scouts of America Anti-Gay Policy and Membership Controversy, April 12, 2015
Dr. Stokes appeared on Native America Calling, "Fight Over Eagle Feathers." February 18, 2015. (Broadcast across the U.S. and Canada).
Dr. Stokes appeared on Uprising Radio, "Erasing the 'R' Word from our Lexicon," May 27, 2014.
Dr. Stokes appeared on The Beat of Sports, Interviewed About Dan Snyder and Changing the Discriminatory Washington Football Team Name. April 22, 2014.
Dr. Stokes appeared on First Voices Indigenous Radio, "The Eagle Feather Law: How Religious Freedom in America is Restricted for Native Americans." March 1, 2007
Dr. Stokes appeared on Native America Calling, "The Sanctity of Eagles." December 19, 2006. (Broadcast across the U.S. and Canada)
Dr. Stokes appeared on South Dakota Public Radio, Leonard Peltier and Contemporary Issues in Native American Culture. April 4, 2000.
PAST INVITED TALKS AND LECTURES
"Smoke Signals."
November 9, 2005. Emmanuel College, Boston, MA.
"The Culture of Memory: The Socio-Cultural Uses and Misuses of Memory."
October 25, 2005. Emmanuel College, Department of Psychology, Boston, MA.
"The Fellowship of Fires."
Stokes, DaShanne et al. March 17, 1998. The University of South Dakota, School of Education, Vermillion, SD.
PAST PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES
"The Role of Political Recognition in Native American Political Mobilization."
August 20, 2011 (w/ Sam Potter). Paper presented at the 61st annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Las Vegas, NV.
"Law, Identity, and Power of Recognition: Domination and Resistance in Native American Federal Acknowledgement." August 17, 2010. Paper presented at the 105th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Atlanta, GA.
"Native American Mobilization and the Power of Recognition."
August 13, 2010. Paper presented at the 60th annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Atlanta, GA.
"The Myth of Religious Freedom: Native Americans, Identity Politics and the Eagle Feather Law."
August 10, 2009. Paper presented at the 104th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco, CA.
"Race, Identity Politics, and a Native American Social Movement That Could Have Been."
August 7, 2009. Paper presented at the 59th annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, August 7, San Francisco, CA.
"In the Land of the Free: Suppressing an Indigenous Social Movement Through Identity Politics."
March 31, 2009. Paper presented at the Workshop Series on Power, Resistance, and Social Change. University of Pittsburgh, Department of Sociology, Pittsburgh, PA.
"The Peace Corps and the American Empire."
August 11, 2007. Presented at the 102nd annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, New York, NY.
"Native American Perceptions of Sibling Abuse."
March 11, 2005 (w/ K. Westmiller). Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Boston, MA.
"Implicit Theories of Wife Abuse."
April 15, 2004 (w/ K. Rapoza and T. Zaveri). Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
"Reinventing the Social Conservation Psyche."
April 19, 2002. Presented at Idea Fest, April 19, Vermillion, SD.
"Unity Through Diversity: Native American Students and the Seventh Generation."
Stokes, DaShanne et al. April 17, 1998. Presented at Idea Fest, Vermillion, SD.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get answers to some of Dr. Stokes' most frequently asked questions.
PROVIDE A TESTIMONIAL
Dr. Stokes' work relies heavily on reviews and word of mouth. Please take a moment to provide a testimonial about your experience with Dr. Stokes, his written work, or with having viewed one of his guest lectures or media appearances. Your support is greatly appreciated and will help inform others about the value of what he does.
