DR. THEOTIS
ROBINSON, JR.
Academic + Economic
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Speaker
About Dr. Robinson
A trailblazer and advocate for equality, Dr. Theotis Robinson, Jr. has been moving the needle in matters of diversity, equity and inclusion for over 60 years. He has lived history; he IS history.
Today, he remains an active DE&I ambassador and is frequently called on to lead powerful and authentic conversations, and to create forward-thinking DE&I initiatives that intersect higher education, business development, politics, history and equality for society’s greater good.
Where it started.
How it ended.
When he was a senior in high school, Theotis Robinson attempted to enroll in the all-white Knoxville East High School and became a plaintiff in a lawsuit to desegregate the city’s public school system in 1959.
He also participated in lunch counter sit-in demonstrations in protest of Knoxville’s all-white eating establishments. With a desire to pursue a political career, he applied for admission to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, but was rejected due to race. Following a meeting with the university president where he threatened to sue, Robinson was admitted and began classes on January 4, 1961. His actions paved the way for Black undergraduate students to attend the flagship university for the state of Tennessee.
Forty years after his denial for admission, Robinson was named Vice President of Equity and Diversity for the University of Tennessee System. Under his leadership, Black enrollment, Black professors, and Black administrators increased.
Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on the Impact of Theotis Robinson
City Council/World’s Fair
In 1969, Robinson organized an all-white protest demonstration to march on the Knoxville City Council to demand passage of an open-housing ordinance. That fall, he became the first Black person elected to the Knoxville City Council in over half a century.
Robinson’s additional accomplishments include serving as VP of Economic Development for the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville, where he succeeded in his advocacy by writing the policy for economic inclusion based on market dynamics. This policy resulted in the participation of diverse architectural firms, construction contractors, concession operators, suppliers, and end-of-fair demolition crews aligned with the city’s demographics.
Economic + Academic
Growth Opportunities
Always at the forefront of finding new ways to include diversity in business, Dr. Robinson remains a conduit for collaborations that promote access and opportunities. Today, he is leading a group of Knoxville financial, academic, business and community leaders who are bringing their best ideas to the table to create paths for disadvantaged entrepreneurs seeking to participate in the city’s economic growth.
He also continues to be a sought-after speaker and award recipient based on his unique ability to harness the past to impact the future of DE&I. Check out the video below to learn more.
In the news
Stay informed with news about Dr. Robinson and his view on trending DE&I topics.
War on Woke: OpEd by Theotis Robinson
originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel 6/29/2023Knox Narratives: Theotis Robinson, Jr. shares trailblazing history in higher education
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs sat down with Dr. Robinson to discuss how he broke racial barriers in higher education.Honorary Doctorate
Dr. Robinson was presented with an honorary degree at the University of Tennessee’s winter graduation ceremony in 2019.Theotis Robinson, Jr. Endowment Fund
Dr. Robinson established a scholarship endowment to support graduating high school students throughout Tennessee.