Dr. Tchet Dereic Dorman was an active member of the National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME), including serving as a Regional Representative on NAME’s National Board. and an integral member of NAME’s Pennsylvania chapter – one of NAME’s longest standing chapters. Dr. Dorman helped to resurrect the PA-NAME chapter after several years of inactivity. He served as PA-NAME’s president for many years, and the chapter thrived under his leadership. He collaborated with colleges and universities across the state of Pennsylvania to host the PA-NAME conference. He brought together prominent scholars and K – 16 multicultural educators and leaders to exchange and discuss critical themes related to diversity, equity, and social justice in education.
Dr. Dorman’s leadership and contributions extended beyond PA-NAME and NAME. He was an educator, administrator and organizational leader, having served at a range of institutions, including 15 colleges and universities. For many years, Dr. Dorman served as the Director of the Center for Social Justice and Multicultural Education at Temple University. He participated in and supported the establishment of the inter-group dialogue certificate program at Temple University. He also led the Real Talks events at Temple University and throughout the city of Philadelphia. Dr. Dorman founded Pyramid Consulting Services, a non-profit multi-dimensional emancipatory educational organization. He was also a Senior Consultant for the Blue Door Group, a consulting firm dedicated to inter-group dialogue facilitation and diversity, inclusion and equity education.
Dr. Dorman embodied the very best of what it means to be a multicultural educator and leader. His knowledge of the field and passion for humanity informed his approach to dialogue. His good-natured sense of humor and infectious disposition created an atmosphere where creativity and cooperation thrived. He possessed a wonderful skill and talent to engage people in deep self-reflection and critical conversation about a wide range of human issues. He built bridges and created spaces where people felt simultaneously safe and challenged to participate in the work of making the world a better place by starting with themselves.