From The Amercan Museum of Natural History

"For a quarter of a century William Loren Katz's highly informative slide [now powerpoint] lectures on The Black West and Black Indians have been a regular feature for audiences at the New York American Museum of Natural History. Using his knowledge as a scholarly detective and his rare collection of antique prints and photographs, his presentations uncover buried or overlooked parts of African American and Native American history and culture.

"In just over an hour Mr. Katz's documented stories and fascinating images impart enormous amounts of information, and also generate tangible audience excitement. Since his vivid examples and fetching humor easily connect with listeners, he has consistently filled our Museum's lecture halls to capacity.

"Mr. Katz concludes his presentations with a question and answer period in which his storehouse of knowledge and gentle warmth draw poignant responses. At the end it is clear that people have not only been exposed to valuable new information, but many also have been deeply touched emotionally.

"In providing data and concepts largely ignored or rarely available in the school curriculum or even colleges courses, the lectures of Mr. Katz have consistently enriched the public's understanding of our common heritage in the Americas.
To summarize: The success of Mr. Katz's lectures stem from the clarity of his factual presentation, use of captivating historical visuals, bank of vivid anecdotes, and his engaging manner. His research has the added value of restoring vital missing pages to our multicultural legacy, and particularly in documenting how people of color honed their intellect, courage and resilient spirit in their long, spirited battle against slavery and oppression."

Respectfully,
Roberto Mucaro Borrero
Senior Program Coordinator
Public Programs, Department of Education
The American Museum of Natural History