Robert Luckett

Robert Luckett is a tenured Professor of History and Director of the Margaret Walker Center and COFO Center at Jackson State University. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Georgia (2009) and a B.A. in Political Science from Yale University (1999). His research focuses on the Modern Civil Rights Movement, African American History, American History, and Public History.

Education:

• Ph.D. in History, University of Georgia, 2009
• B.A. in Political Science, Yale University, 1999

He has authored two major works: Redefining Liberal Arts Education in the 21st Century (2021) and Joe T. Patterson and the White South’s Dilemma (2015). His work emphasizes public history initiatives and racial equity, reflected in his roles as an Advisory Board member for the Jackie Robinson Museum, Mississippi Book Festival, and the Anti-Defamation League’s South Central Region. He was honored as a Kellogg Foundation Fellow for his contributions to racial justice.

Luckett teaches courses on Civil Rights Movement history, African American history, and historiography. He leads the Margaret Walker Center, dedicated to preserving Black cultural heritage, and oversees the COFO Center, focusing on Mississippi’s civil rights legacy. His professional service includes board roles with the Girls Scouts of Greater Mississippi and strategic initiatives in education equity.