This Fall 2023 Anschutz lecture featured Dr. Melanye T. Price. Dr. Price holds the role of Associate Professor of Africana Studies and Political Science at Rutgers University, as well as an Endowed Professor of Political Science at Prairie View A&M University. She serves as the principal investigator for the African American Studies Initiative funded by the Mellon Foundation. Dr.Price is a distinguished author known for her groundbreaking work.

Her book, The Race Whisperer: Barack Obama and the Political Uses of Race, offers a profound exploration of the complex dynamics of race in the age of Obama, making significant contributions to the study of race and politics, public opinion, and political campaigns. In addition, her work Dreaming Blackness: Black Nationalism and African American Public Opinion presents a multi-faceted perspective on African American political views, shedding new light on race specific ideological beliefs and their influence within the African American community. Her research underscores the enduring significance of Black Nationalism, a perspective that deserves attention from scholars and policymakers alike. 

Currently Dr. Price is engaged in teaching a transformative American Studies course titled, American Education, Race and Equality. This course delves into the enduring educational disparities in America, focusing on historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) established in the wake of emancipation. It explores the historical impact of HBCUs on African American life, their pivotal role in shaping the nation's politics and culture, and the potential they offer in the ongoing pursuit of "a more perfect union."