Speaking Topics
When Sunday Comes: The Church as Foundation of Black Community Life
Explore how Black churches served as far more than places of worship—they were centers of resistance, community organizing, education, and multi-generational stability. Drawing from personal family history spanning four generations in Arlington’s Halls Hill neighborhood, this presentation illuminates the central role of faith institutions in building and sustaining Black communities.
Key Takeaways:
- The church as anchor institution in Black community development
- How faith communities enabled resistance and resilience
- Multi-generational neighborhood stability and institution-building
- Personal narratives that illuminate broader historical patterns
Ideal For: Faith-based organizations, religious studies programs, community development groups, Black History Month events, historical societies
Format: 45-60 minute keynote or 90-minute workshop with discussion
The Segregation Walls: How Federal Policy Built Barriers in American Neighborhoods
Discover how 1930s federal housing policies led to physical segregation barriers in communities across America. Using documented evidence from Arlington, Virginia, this presentation reveals the direct connection between abstract policy decisions and concrete neighborhood divisions—many of which remain visible today.
Key Takeaways:
- How federal laws created local segregation infrastructure
- Reading the landscape of your own community for hidden history
- Understanding policy impacts that still shape property values and school districts
- The importance of documenting overlooked histories before they’re lost
Ideal For: Historical societies, urban planning organizations, real estate associations, corporate DEI programs, policy institutes
Reading Your Neighborhood: What Federal Documents Reveal About American Streets
Most Americans drive past historical sites daily without knowing their significance. Learn the research methodology that uncovers hidden stories in any American community, using government records, property documents, and family archives.
Key Takeaways:
- Practical techniques for researching local Black history
- How to access and interpret federal records
- Connecting national policy to local family outcomes
- Building community engagement through historical discovery
Ideal For: Genealogical societies, libraries, historical preservation groups, university audiences, community organization
America’s Hidden Firsts: Uncovering Overlooked Black Achievement
Arlington, Virginia was home to the first Black-staffed fire station below the Mason-Dixon Line in 1918—decades before the Civil Rights Movement. This is just one of countless examples of early Black institutional leadership that mainstream history has overlooked.
Key Takeaways:
- Documented examples of pioneering Black institutions
- Why these stories matter for understanding American history
- How overlooked achievements challenge historical narratives
- Inspiring examples of leadership and community building
Ideal For: Black History Month events, corporate programs, universities, community celebrations, professional associations
Federal Fingerprints: Tracing National Policy Through Local Lives
How did the GI Bill, FHA redlining, and urban renewal affect specific American families? This presentation shows the documented impact of federal policies on individual family trajectories, revealing how government decisions shaped generational wealth, educational opportunities, and community development.
Key Takeaways:
- The mechanism between policy creation and local implementation
- Documented case studies of policy impacts on families
- Understanding generational effects of historical decisions
- Context for current housing equity and wealth gap discussions
Ideal For: Policy organizations, academic conferences, corporate leadership programs, real estate industry events, government agencies
The Architecture of Inequality: How 1930s Federal Policy Still Shapes Your Community
Walk through your neighborhood with new eyes. This presentation reveals how federal housing policies from the 1930s created patterns that persist in current property values, school district boundaries, and community demographics. Using Arlington, Virginia as a documented case study, audiences learn to recognize these patterns in their own communities.
Key Takeaways:
- Historical roots of current neighborhood inequities
- Visual analysis of policy impacts on community development
- Understanding the longevity of policy decisions
- Framework for addressing historical inequities
Ideal For: Urban planning conferences, real estate organizations, community development groups, policy think tanks, university programs
Presentation Formats
Keynote Address - 45-60 minutes
Inspiring, story-driven presentation with historical documentation and compelling visuals. Includes Q&A session.
Workshop - 90 minutes - 3 hours
Interactive session teaching research methodology and practical techniques. Participants leave with tools to apply in their own communities.
Masterclass - Half-day or Full-day
Deep dive into research methods, historical analysis, and community engagement. Includes hands-on activities and personalized guidance.
Virtual Presentations
All topics available via Zoom or preferred platform. Full production support with screen sharing of documents, maps, and historical materials.
Panel Participation
Available for conference panels on housing policy, Black history, historical preservation, community activism, and genealogical research.
What Audiences Say
“Wilma’s presentation completely changed how I see my own neighborhood. Her research is meticulous, and her storytelling is captivating.”
“Finally, someone who connects policy to real people. This should be required learning for anyone working in urban planning or community development.”
“The research methodology Wilma teaches is invaluable. I’ve already started applying it to uncover stories in my own city.”
Booking Information
Available For:
- Corporate events and leadership programs
- University keynotes and lecture series
- Historical society and preservation conferences
- Black History Month programming
- Real estate and urban planning conferences
- Genealogical society events
- Community organization gatherings
- Government agency training
- Virtual presentations nationwide
Geographic Availability:
Available for in-person presentations throughout the United States and virtual presentations for any location.
Booking Timeline:
Advance booking recommended.
Customization:
All presentations can be customized to reflect your organization’s specific interests, regional context, or thematic focus.
Reserve Date with Deposit:
All presentation/speaking engagements booking require a 50 percent deposit to reserve the date. Full payment for engagements due 48 hours before date of presentation,
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Code of Conduct
Review the ABHE Code of Conduct applicable for guests and organizations for ALL experiences.
Operational Standards
ABHE meets the operational standards required by DMCs, luxury tour organizations, corporate incentive and procurement teams. We carry $1,000,000 in general liability coverage and maintain absolute client privacy - no guest photography, no social media, and no disclosure of client or attendee information. Certificates of insurance available upon request.
