Thought Leadership
Karen Valentia Clopton is a highly experienced media personality, spokesperson and keynote speaker. To inquire about booking Commissioner Clopton click here.
Speaking Topics & Areas of Expertise
Ethics in corporate governance; legal and judicial ethics
Racial justice and human rights in the 21st century
Changing the Face of American Philanthropy: Bias, Cultural Competency, and Giving
Innovative inclusion: building an effective equity and inclusion initiative
Cultural competency: cross cultural gender and multi-generational approaches to mentorship
Ethical, moral and business mandate for the elimination of bias in AI, technology, academia, legal profession, and financial institutions
Watch
ABC7 News: The Impact of MegaBlack SF
Commissioner Clopton featured during Black History Month in discussion with News Anchor Kumasi Aaron about advances and passage of new laws.
American Bar Association
Robert B. Yegge Award for Excellence in Judicial Administration Acceptance Speech. Focuses on the need for equality, fairness and independence in the judiciary branch.
2013 Silver SPUR Awards: Karen Clopton Acceptance Speech
Recognition of effort to promote active public discourse, integrity and transparency in government for more than two decades.
United Nations Association San Francisco Human Rights Day 2020 - Racial Justice & Human Rights in the 21st Century
Commissioner Clopton shares observations on racial justice-related issues in the Bay Area and beyond.
Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?
Commissioner Clopton provides an overview of U.S. African-American history in a startling 10-minute discourse that illustrates how slavery and subsequent laws continue to promote racial injustice.
Interracial Sisterhood: Women in American History
Karen Valentia Clopton (she, her, hers), Chair of The San Francisco Human Rights Commission, Michelle Grant-Groves, Executive Director of i3 Institute, Dr. Judy Yu, Dr. Yu, Commission Member of CUNY's Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies, and Tracy L. Gray, commemorated and examined Interracial Sisterhood to encourage the study of women in American History.
An award-winning trailblazer, Commissioner
Karen Clopton is a champion of human and civil rights, a
distinguished attorney, forceful speaker, organizational
expert, and former Chief Administrative Law Judge.
Read
Washington Post
‘I am who I am’: Kamala Harris, daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, defines herself simply as ‘American’.
A friend for more than two decades, Commissioner Clopton observed Harris’s engagement in African American politics, community struggles, organizations, and life.
University of the District of Columbia
Anti-Black Racism a Human Rights and Public Health Crisis: SF Human Rights Commission
Commissioner Clopton’s groundbreaking resolution declaring anti-Black racism a human rights and public health crisis was passed unanimously.
The Baltimore Sun
Should Uber be suspended in California?
Chief Administrative Law Judge Karen V. Clopton of the California Public Utilities Commission says Uber has not complied with state laws that ensure drivers give rides fairly, regardless of where passengers live or who they are.
Yahoo News
Where does Kamala Harris’s toughness come from? The two indomitable women who raised her.
Karen Clopton describes the “village” that raised Harris and her sister and the pride they felt when Harris was sworn in as the first Afiran American district attorney.
United Nations Association Human Rights Panel
My Name is Karen But I am Not a Meme
Commissioner Clopton describes how technology can both weaponize racism and serve as a means to prevent denial of racial persecution, dehumanization, and murder.
My Foundation: A Personal Story
Commissioner Clopton tells her family story, illustrating how the history of slavery impacted her African American, European and South American heritage.
League of Women Voters of SF President Celebrates Important Anniversary
Interview with Karen Clopton, the first Black president of the League of Women Voters of San Francisco about her responsibilities, influences, and the 100 year anniversary of women’s right to vote.
Teen Vogue
Understanding the Impact of Federal Judges in the United States
Commissioner Clopton explains how judges impact equality and fairness in our society and why voters should keep watch over who is being nominated.
St. James Episcopal Church
Hospitality During Inhospitable Times: An Interview with Karen Valentia Clopton
Commissioner Clopton describes her multi-cultural background and her history of Interfaith Worship and Cooperation.
Miscellany News
Students, Alums Celebrate Black History Month at Vassar
Focusing on the achievements of African Americans at Vassar College, Karen Clopton planned an event to recreate the Afro-American Cultural Center from 1960-1975.
American Bar Association Press Release
Robert B. Yegge Award
Given by the Judicial Division Lawyers Conference of the American Bar Association (ABA), Karen Clopton was recognized for exceptional and noteworthy work through legal, scholarly or civic avenues.
Listen
21st Century Education for All!
Tracy Gray interviews award-winning trailblazer and nationally recognized civil rights advocate and Human Rights Commissioner Karen V. Clopton about her career and personal journey.
Podcast - Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
Commissioner Clopton shares her experience as a young Black woman in a family that taught her early on about what it meant to be Black growing up in the USA.