The Metro: Dr. Keisha Blain highlights the Black women of civil rights and human rights movements
Tia Graham January 19, 2026Dr. Keisha N. Blain’s book “Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights” takes a historical look at various civil rights movements and the Black women behind the scenes creating global change.
Keisha N. Blain is a professor of Africana studies at Brown University.
Women have been at the forefront of civil rights and human rights movements throughout history. Yet, their stories are left untold and forgotten.
Dr. Keisha N. Blain is a historian, speaker, advocate, and social justice activist who is a best-selling author. She is a professor of Africana studies at Brown University. Her most recent book “Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights” takes a historical look back at various civil rights movements and the Black women behind the scenes who created global change.
Dr. Blain spoke at Wayne State University as part of the university’s annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration. She joined The Metro to talk about the women who helped progress human rights, often leading to systemic change.
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Tia Graham is a reporter and Weekend Edition Host for 101.9 WDET. She graduated from Michigan State University where she had the unique privilege of covering former President Barack Obama and his trip to Lansing in 2014.


