Premiering at 2:00 p.m. ET Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

Ambassador Michael Battle has had a most distinguished career of public service, spanning four decades as a diplomat, in academia, in the faith community, and as a military chaplain.

Dr. Battle was Executive Vice President/Provost at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to that, he served as a Senior Advisor to the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State for the U.S. Africa Leader’s Summit in 2014. He also served as the United States Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and as U.S. Ambassador to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Earlier in his career Dr. Battle’s positions included service as the President of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and as chair of The Robert W. Woodruff Library of The Atlanta University. Additionally, he served for 20 years as a Chaplain in the United States Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. Dr. Battle received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College, a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Howard University.

President Joe Biden has announced his nomination of Michael Battle for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Republic of Tanzania, which is now awaiting confirmation.

About Chautauqua Institution: Chautauqua Institution is a community on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York state that comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. As a community, we celebrate, encourage and study the arts and treat them as integral to all of learning, and we convene the critical conversations of the day to advance understanding through civil dialogue. CHQ Assembly is the online expression of Chautauqua Institution's mission.