Henry H. Parker has an impressive and diverse background. He graduated with honors from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, and went on to earn his M.A. from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and a Ph.D. in Latin and Greek from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
Dr. Parker played a pivotal role in promoting desegregation, notably in the dining car department of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company and in various bars and restaurants in Spokane, WA. He was not only an advocate but also a creator, producing and starring in "The Hank Parker Show," Iowa's first black television series, which aired on the NBC affiliate KWWL.
He was a true educator, having founded the widely recognized Parker Tribune newspaper, used in 300 schools across the United States. Dr. Parker also served as the National Director of Curriculum for Jesse Jackson's PUSH-Excel program and established the highly regarded Parker Academy, a college preparatory program for preschoolers.
Together with Marilyn Crist, he developed the C.P. Collegians Program, designed to nurture gifted children. Dr. Parker co-authored several books, including "Teaching Minorities to Play the Corporate Language Game," "A Twenty-Somethings Guide to Financial Freedom," and "Secrets to Success in College and in Life," which were published both in the United States and abroad.
His influence extended to the national stage, as he was a featured speaker on the lecture circuit for the New York-based agency, Program Corporation of America. Dr. Parker's remarkable journey even caught the attention of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and his work has been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, and People magazine.
Throughout his career, Dr. Parker received recognition as a Ford Foundation Fellow and held the esteemed title of Cunningham Distinguished Professor/Scholar at the University of Tennessee at Martin. After an impressive 33 years of service in the history department, he retired from UT Martin in May 2023, leaving behind a lasting legacy.