2025 Roy L. Brooks Distinguished Lecture Series

On behalf of the Center for Cultural Development, please accept this invitation to attend the 2025 Roy L. Brooks Distinguished Lecture Series, Wednesday, October 22, from 4pm-7pm at Manchester Hall Auditorium, Room 103.

The Roy L. Brooks Distinguished Lecture Series was established to bring an African American scholar of distinction or promise to campus. The award is named after Professor Roy L. Brooks, who has been a long-standing member of our community; an award-winning and engaging teacher; a prolific author of original scholarship; and a distinguished member of the legal profession and community.

This year's Roy L. Brooks Distinguished Lecture Series will feature Professor Brooks himself, as he prepares to retire after 47 years of teaching. The Library of Congress recognizes Professor Brooks as a distinguished scholar both in the United States and internationally. Professor Brooks is published by prestigious presses, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cambridge, the University of California, and NYU. His books span various genres, including monographs, casebooks, textbooks, and even an anthology. Twenty of his books are held by 4,457 libraries, academic institutions, and learned societies worldwide.

Join us for Professor Brooks's talk, titled "Living Memoir: Roy L. Brooks," in which he will discuss his life and legacy of scholarship. Professor Brooks will highlight several prominent themes within his literary works that have significantly influenced analyses of social justice, legal theory, and democratic theory. He will share how his innovative perspectives are deeply rooted in his personal life experiences, including the racially diverse middle-class neighborhood in which he was raised not far from Yale University. He will discuss his interdisciplinary studies in law, philosophy, history, sociology, political science, and anthropology; and his classmates at Yale Law School.

Order of Events

• 4:00pm | Welcome: Regina Dixon-Reeves, PhD, Vice Provost for Academic Excellence, Director, Center for Cultural Development and Center for Educational Excellence
• 4:10pm | Professor Brook’s Legacy: Robert Schapiro, Dean and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law 
• 4:20pm | Series Description and Recognition of Professor Brooks: Dr. Gail F. Baker, Counselor to the President
• 4:30pm | Keynote Speaker Introduction: Ana-Victoria Chavez, Undergraduate Student, Office Assistant, Center for Cultural Development
• 4:32pm | Keynote Address: Roy L. Brooks, JD, Warren Distinguished Professor of Law
• 5:05pm | Q&A
• 5:30pm | Closing Remarks and Presentation of Award: James T. Harris III, DEd, President of USD 
• 5:45pm | Photos
• 6:00pm-7:00pm | Reception

This event is open to all members of the campus community, the San Diego law community, and the general public. Registration is required.

For questions or accommodation needs, please contact Nicole Turner, Center of Cultural Development: nturner@sandiego.edu.