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Ron Stallworth      

Retired Undercover Police Detective; Expert on Race & Law Enforcement Interactions; Known as the Inspiration for Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman"

Ron Stallworth made history as the first African-American detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department. His tenure in law enforcement is notable for a daring undercover operation in which he infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the late 1970s. This remarkable investigation lasted around nine months and was instrumental in preventing numerous cross burnings and rallies. Stallworth's work also led to the identification of various KKK members in sensitive military positions, contributing significantly to national security.

Stallworth's experiences served as the basis for his 2014 memoir, "Black Klansman." This book not only recounts his time with the Colorado Springs Police Department but also details the challenges and triumphs of his groundbreaking investigation. In 2018, the memoir was adapted into the critically acclaimed film "BlacKkKlansman". Directed by Spike Lee, the film received widespread recognition, winning an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and the Grand Prize of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival.

He details another firsthand account of trailblazing police work in the most unlikely place for a Black cop in the '90s: Salt Lake City, Utah. Stallworth makes a startling discovery that Bloods and Crips are infiltrating Mormon Country and recounts the undercover work in his book, "The Gangs of Zion: A Black Cop's Crusade in Mormon Country."

Leveraging his unique experiences and insights from his law enforcement career, Stallings has spoken to capacity crowds at various forums. Stallworth's post-retirement activities underscore his ongoing commitment to fostering understanding and dialogue around race relations and law enforcement in America.

Speech Topics

Race and Law Enforcement

Ron Stallworth was the first black detective in the history of the Colorado Springs Police Department. He overcame many obstacles, including prejudice from members of his own force and the difficulty of impersonating a KKK member. Stallworth offers insights on the intersections of race and law enforcement: how they have changed in some ways and stayed the same in others. Stallworth draws on both his own experiences and historical and current events.

Black Klansman: How Ron Stallworth Infiltrated the KKK

In 1978, when detective Ron Stallworth discovered a classified ad in the local paper recruiting for the Ku Klux Klan, he responded, using his real name while posing as a white man. He asked his partner Chuck to play the "white" Ron Stallworth for inperson meetings, while Stallworth himself conducted all phone conversations. During the months-long investigation, Stallworth sabotaged cross burnings, exposed white supremacists in the military, and even befriended and served on the security detail for David Duke. In this talk, Stallworth tells the story of his KKK infiltration, touching on his motivations, doubts, fears, and triumphs throughout the process.

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