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Mack Lecture Series

The annual Mack Lecture Series invites the foremost changemakers of our day to speak about transformation on a range of pressing topics.

Two laptops are placed on a grassy surface, facing each other. Behind the laptops, two screens that display the text,
The Mack Lecture Series explores our contemporary cultural moment through inspiring conversations and lectures. Accompanied by conversations with local changemakers, the series invites national and international artists, writers, and thinkers to the Walker podium.
From issues of representation in media to the role of law in climate change, Mack Lectures highlight cutting-edge ideas and ways of working. By deepening our collective understanding and appreciation of the critical issues of our time, the series creates new possibilities for transformation. Past Mack Lecture guest speakers have included Sterlin Harjo, Claudia Rankine, Kulapat Yantrasast, and other notable changemakers.
A woman with warm brown skin and copper-tinted hair smiles while holding a black banjo decorated with a star on its headstock.

2026

Rhiannon Giddens

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A woman with short pink hair sits barefoot on a cushion on a wooden floor. She is seated in front of a large black-and-white abstract artwork, with painting supplies scattered behind her.

2026

Kara Walker

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2026

M. Gessen

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A man wearing glasses and a black shirt.

2025

Kulapat Yantrasast

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A headshot of an adult with light skin and blue eyes wears a black scarf

2025

James Thornton, ClientEarth

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An adult with medium brown skin stands looking at the viewer in a forest. They are wearing a brown fedora and jean jacket.

2024

Sterlin Harjo

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A woman stands in a studio and looks at the camera.

2022

Sadie Barnette

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A fair skinned woman with brown hair and a black shirt smiling and posing for a photo

2021

Annie Dorsen

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3 darker complexioned adults each wearing black smiling and looking at camera

2021

Frank Wilderson, Arthur Jafa, and Saidiya Hartman

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A long haired fair skinned adult sits in a purple chair with a silver background and turns back to camera

2019

Rukmini Callimachi

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A fair skinned adult with short hair, stubble, and blue eyes holds onto a metal railing and gazing off camera

2019

Mark Kingwell

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A darker complexioned adult with short black hair and wearing a patterned scarf and red shirt

2019

Claudia Rankine

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A short haired adult with a black colored coat and grey shirt smiling and posing for a photo

2015

Sylvère Lotringer

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A black and white photo of woman standing next to a window with the logo: Department 56

2014

Mary Jane Jacob

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An adult with light skin, wearing a red shirt and silver watch, has medium legth brown hair and smiles at the viewer with a hand to their face. A cat stands on a bookshelf behind.

2007

Hayden Herrera

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The Mack Lecture series is made possible by generous support from Aaron and Carol Mack.