As Bennett College celebrates its Centennial as a women’s college, we are proud to announce that renowned scholar, journalist, and writer Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry will deliver the Charter Day Keynote Address on Sunday, March 29, 2026 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST in the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel.
Charter Day marks the chartering of Bennett College by the state of North Carolina in 1889 and provides an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s historic mission: educating women who lead with courage, intellect, and a commitment to justice. In this centennial year, the College honors one hundred years of Bennett women shaping the world—and looks ahead to the next century of impact.
Introducing the Charter Day Centennial Keynote Speaker
Dr. Harris-Perry embodies the spirit of this moment. She is the Maya Angelou Presidential Chair at Wake Forest University, where she teaches and conducts research on American politics at the intersections of race, gender, and place. A leading voice in public scholarship, she is the founder and president of the Anna Julia Cooper Center, an institute dedicated to advancing justice through intersectional research and action.
She is the award-winning author of the influential books Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought and Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America, works that explore the intellectual traditions and lived political experiences of Black communities and Black women.
Dr. Harris-Perry has also played a prominent role in national media and public dialogue. She hosted the groundbreaking MSNBC program Melissa Harris-Perry, earning the prestigious Hillman Prize for broadcast journalism. She later served as host and managing editor of The Takeaway, heard on hundreds of public radio stations nationwide.
At a moment when Bennett College is reflecting on a century of educating bold women leaders, Dr. Harris-Perry’s voice—grounded in scholarship, activism, and storytelling—offers a powerful perspective on the enduring role of Black women in shaping communities and the future.
This year’s Charter Day celebration will serve as both a commemoration of Bennett’s historic legacy and a call to action for the next generation of Bennett Belles.
