An evening with Dr. Sami Schalk, author of Black Disability Politics

We spoke with Dr. Sami Schalk, author of Black Disability Politics, a highly acclaimed book that explores how issues of disability have been and continue to be central to Black activism from the 1970s to the present. Dr. Schalk joined us for a fireside chat, which was followed by a brief networking opportunity.

Meet Our Guest:

Dr. Sami Schalk (she/her) is an associate professor of Gender &Women's Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the author of Bodyminds Reimagined: (Dis)ability, Race and Gender in Black Women's Speculative Fiction(Duke 2018) and Black Disability Politics(Duke2022). Dr. Schalk’s academic work focuses on race, disability, and gender in contemporary American literature and culture. She also writes for mainstream outlets, including a monthly column called “Pleasure Practices” in TONE Madison. Dr. Schalk identifies as a fat, Black, queer, disabled femme and a pleasure activist.