2021 Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation

Heather McGhee

Heather designs and promotes solutions to inequality in America. Her upcoming book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together is now available for pre-order. Her TED talk, “Racism Has a Cost for Everyone” reached 1 million views in just two months online. In the coming year, she will launch two original podcasts on the economy and on how to create cross-racial solidarity in challenging times.

As an NBC News Political Analyst, Heather regularly elevates the concerns of working families on shows including “Meet the Press.” She has testified in Congress, drafted legislation, and developed strategies for organizations and campaigns that won changes to improve the lives of millions. For nearly two decades, Heather helped build the non-partisan "think and do" tank Demos, serving four years as president.

Heather graduated from Yale University and University of California Berkeley School of Law, and has an honorary degree from Muhlenberg College. She is the chair of the board of Color of Change, the country’s largest online racial justice organization, and volunteers for numerous other boards in the fields of philanthropy and social justice.