Public Speaking

Over the past twenty years I have spoken in front of audiences across the country on a wide range of topics related to the history and legacy of the American Civil War. Since 2015 I have spoken to school groups, private companies, and the general public about the ongoing debate surrounding Confederate monuments and the Confederate flag. My presentations are designed to be both educational and entertaining.

A Selection of Happy Clients

I’m being entirely truthful when I say that yours was the most enthralled audience I’ve ever witnessed here. I was sitting way in back, so I could literally see everyone, and no one squirmed, no watches were checked, not a single yawn! Instead, heads were nodding, people turned to each other to corroborate your remarks, they chuckled at your humor. You’re a good teacher! − Gracelaw Simmons, Royall House & Slave Quarters

Classroom Visits

Nothing gives me more joy than working with students to better understand historical controversies such as the monument debate. The COVID pandemic has made it possible to visit classroom across the country as well as in Japan, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Working with students at Ashley Hall School in Charleston, SC on the Confederate monument Controversy

Ralph Van Inwagen
Former Assistant Head of School, Gann Academy

Excellent! I have been involved with studying U.S. History since the 4th grade, taught it for two decades, and was a History Department chair for nearly ten years. With all of that, I sat there enraptured and completely enveloped in your presentation. Thanks for giving all of us much to think about.

Peter Vermilyea
Social Studies Department Chairman, Housatonic Valley Regional High School

Thank you so much for two terrific presentations!! I really can’t say enough how perfect they were for these students as they begin the school year. I spent the next 40 minutes with the students who were in person for yesterday’s presentation and they really could not stop talking about it.

Professional Development For History Educators

Leading a tour for history educators at the Freedman’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. (2019)

I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most passionate and talented history educators in the classroom today. I have extensive experience leading tours for educators at historic sites and monuments in cities like Richmond, Charlottesville, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Over the past few years I have led workshops for teachers from all over the country. I am committed to helping history educators teach some of the most challenging subject matter, including the current controversy surrounding the history and memory of Confederate monuments.

Kevin is a veteran member of the Civil War Institute summer conference faculty, and is one of the most versatile speakers in our bullpen. Over the past few years, he’s led breakout sessions on a wide variety of topics, participated in panel discussions on the main stage, and facilitated small-group investigations of primary source materials. He’s also worked closely with our high school student scholarship program, leading intensive discussions on historical memory and history and new media. Kevin’s programs are extremely popular with our attendees. — Jill Titus, Assistant Director, Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College

Contact Me To Book Your Next Event

Public Speaker

My public speaking engagements include public libraries, private companies, Civil War Round Tables, historical societies, and colleges and universities. Current topics include:

  • History and Memory of Confederate Monuments
  • History Wars: 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory
  • History and Legacy of Reconstruction
  • Black Civil War Soldiers and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
  • Colonel Robert Gould Shaw
  • The Myth of the Black Confederate Soldier

I am happy to work with you to put together a presentation for your next event.

Upcoming Engagements in 2022

  • January 13: Discussion of the movie GLORY, Massachusetts Historical Society. (Registration)
  • February 11: “Confederate Monuments and Race in America,” Chelmsford Public Library.
  • February 15: “Confederate Monuments and Race in America,” Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Falls Village, CT.
  • February 25: “Of Confederates and Controversies: Monuments, Myths, and Removals,” America250 Commission.
  • March 1: “Confederate Monuments and Race in America,” Brooklyn Latin School.
  • March 9: Searching for Black Confederates, Teacher Workshop, Griffin-Spalding County Schools, Griffin, GA.
  • April 1: Walking tour of Civil War Boston, Organization of American Historians annual meeting, Boston, MA.
  • April 14: “Before Glory: Robert Gould Shaw and the 2nd Massachusetts,” Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Civil War Round Table, Brunswick, Maine.
  • April 20: “Before Glory: Robert Gould Shaw and the 2nd Massachusetts,” Rhode Island Civil War Round Table, Cranston, RI.
  • June 20: Walking tour of Civil War Boston, Remix Therapeutics, Boston, MA.
  • July 17-22: Set in Stone: Civil War Memory, Monuments, and Myth, Teacher Workshop, Ford’s Theatre, Washington, D.C. (Registration)
  • August 23: Searching for Black Confederates, Baltimore Civil War Round Table, Baltimore, MD.
  • September 15: “Before Glory: Robert Gould Shaw and the 2nd Massachusetts,” Olde Colony Civil War Round Table, Dedham, MA.
  • October 20: “Before Glory: Robert Gould Shaw and the 2nd Massachusetts,” New Bedford Civil War Round Table.
  • October 23: “Before Glory: Robert Gould Shaw and the 2nd Massachusetts,” Dan Sickles Civil war Round Table.
  • November 3: Opening Plenary Session on “Teaching Democracy” at the annual meeting of the Society for U.S. Intellectual History, Boston, MA.

2023

  • March 6: Searching for Black Confederates, Rock River Valley Civil War Roundtable, Rockford, Illinois.
  • March 13: “Before Glory: Robert Gould Shaw and the 2nd Massachusetts,” Ann Arbor Civil War Round Table.
  • March 23: The Controversy Surrounding Civil War Monuments,” Springfield Museums, Springfield, MA.
  • July 23-28: Ford’s Theatre professional development workshop on Civil War memory and Reconstruction, Washington, D.C.

Contact Me

Thanks again for considering me for your next event. You can contact me in the form below, or email me: kevinmlevin95@gmail.com

I do my best to respond to every message within 24 hours.

Thank you.