The Kathleen Mallory Distinguished Lecture Series (formerly the Black Speakers Series) was inaugurated during the 2004/2005 academic year at Southern Arkansas University. The mission of the lecture series is two fold: First, it is intended to honor Dr. Mallory and to remind us of her half-century of contributions to the educational systems and community of Southwest Arkansas, generally. Second, its mission is to bring outstanding scholars working in the fields of African American and African Diasporic Studies to share their work with the students, faculty and staff of Southern Arkansas University and with members of the surrounding community. Southern Arkansas University has one of the highest percentages of African American students per capita of any university in the United States, outside of historically black colleges. As such, the Kathleen Mallory Distinguished Lecture Series is an opportunity to foster our collective knowledge of and appreciation for the wonderful diversity that defines Southern Arkansas University and Southern Arkansas generally.