From Million Man March to Black Lives Matter
In this engaging talk based on his book, Million Man March, Cottman takes a sweeping historical look at the evolution of social movements from 1995’s Million Man March to 2021’s Black Lives Matter. Through thought-provoking analysis, Cottman provides a deep examination of the similarities and differences of social movements over the last 26 years, the lessons history has taught us, where we go from here, and his hope for the future.
Spirit Dive
Incorporating personal photos and stories, Cottman recounts his four-year, three-continent journey retracing the route of the Henrietta Maria slave ship, forming the basis of the research for his book, The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie, lauded by critics and earning him an interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Cottman delights audiences with his adventures scuba diving in ports of call in Jamaica, Barbados, and West Africa, and shares his own experience as a Black man coming to grips with slavery beneath the sea.
Segregated Skies
Based on his book of the same name, Cottman tells the largely untold story of David Harris, America's first Black pilot hired by a major commercial airline, and the overt racism he experienced during his 30-year career on his way to becoming a celebrated Captain for American Airlines. Cottman’s vivid observations of one man’s triumph in overcoming racial adversity in an industry dominated by bigotry during the tumultuous height of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement will uplift and inspire audiences.
The Politics of Race
It’s been 160 years since the Civil War yet race and politics continue to permeate every aspect of our lives: from education, jobs, and the workplace, to housing, federal policies, and health care. In this talk, Cottman examines how the COVID-19 crisis has brought to light a modern-day health-related Civil War, where some of the hardest-hit states battle for public health against a backdrop of racial restlessness and ideological clashes. He explains how politicians like Adam Clayton Powell, David Dinkins, and Former President Barack Obama have helped shaped American’s consciousness by speaking out about racial disparities that continue to divide us along racial lines, urging audiences to think about these essential questions: “Who will stand up for us? Who will champion our causes? Who will have the courage to speak our names?”
The Insidious Notion of Banning Books
In this timely and thought-provoking lecture, Cottman explores critical race theory and the dangerous movement to ban books about civil rights, slavery, and racial inequality. Through his books about the Black experience in America, Cottman advocates for publishing books about race and sharing these books with students in public schools across the country, making the persuasive argument that books about diversity, equity, and inclusion strengthens America and helps promote racial tolerance and cultural understanding.