
Joan Morgan
Award-Winning Author and Journalist
Author and journalist Joan Morgan began her writing career freelancing for the Village Voice. Her first article, “The Pro-Rape Culture,” explored the issues of race and gender in the case of the Central Park jogger. The article and the heated response it garnered quickly established Morgan’s reputation as a black feminist writer who was unafraid…
Categories :
Full Bio
Author and journalist Joan Morgan began her writing career freelancing for the Village Voice. Her first article, “The Pro-Rape Culture,” explored the issues of race and gender in the case of the Central Park jogger. The article and the heated response it garnered quickly established Morgan’s reputation as a black feminist writer who was unafraid of tackling the most highly charged topics.
She later covered the rape trial of Mike Tyson for the Village Voice. Her insightful coverage earned her an Excellence Merit Media Award (EMMA) from the National Woman’s Political Caucus.
Morgan’s passion and commitment to the accurate documentation of hip-hop culture combined with adept cultural criticism placed her at the forefront of music journalism. She was one of the original staff writers at Vibe magazine and a contributing editor and columnist for Spin. In January 2000, she was asked to join the Essence staff, where she served as executive editor. Morgan recently founded her own body butter company, Emily Jayne.
Morgan coined the term “hip-hop feminism” in 1999, when she published the groundbreaking book “When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost.” Her book has been used in college courses across the nation.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
- Is America “Post-Racial?” What Would Dr. King Say?
The speech looks at Barack Obama’s candidacy and election, and the changing racial and ethnic composition of America since Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech in 1963. What would Dr. King make of the changing composition of America and its impact on America’s black and white racial binary? Who are we talking about in 2011, when we use the term African American? How useful is it to still use the terms Black and African American interchangeably? And finally, what impact does this heterogeneous and multi-ethnic American Blackness have on the country from a political, social and economic perspective? - Hip-Hop Made Me a Better Feminist
Drawing from almost two decades of experience, media speaker Joan Morgan explores the often conflicting words of hip-hop and feminism. She shares her journey from pioneering hip-hop journalist to becoming the foremother of hip-hop feminism, while exploring challenges faced by young women and men of the hip-hop generation. - Black Love on the Battle Lines
In this riveting lecture, keynote speaker Joan Morgan argues that a functional feminism for the hip-hop generation must address the beleaguered state of African-American relationships, families and marriages. Her unique insights offer compelling, refreshing alternatives to the collective panic evoked by doomsday statistics. This lecture can be also be offered in the more intimate format of all women/men discussion groups followed immediately by a co-ed address.
Videos
Keynote with Joan Morgan and Dr Brittney Cooper at the Hip Hop Literacies Conference 2014
Tarell Alvin McCraney and Joan Morgan - YoungArts Master Class
Books
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS

1 HOUR OR LESS