Robert Patterson is an American educator who currently serves as a professor of African American studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Patterson also served as the co-chair for the development committee for the creation of AP African American Studies.
Patterson attended graduate school after receiving a scholarship from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Upon receiving his Ph.D., Patterson became a professor of history and African American studies at Georgetown University.
In 2016, Patterson became the first chair of the African American Studies department at Georgetown University, holding the position until 2019.
Patterson serves as the co-chair of the committee of teachers who developed College Board's new AP African American Studies course. Patterson, alongside other historians like Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, oversaw the development of the course curriculum. Patterson argues that the purpose of the new course is to teach what American education has neglected; to teach "Black experiences, Black knowledge and Black culture."
In 2023, after Governor Ron DeSantis blocked the course in Florida, Patterson stated that College Board does not cave to the political pressure of the governor of Florida. Patterson accused DeSantis' decision on racism, stating, "I think that part of it has to do with white supremacy and anti-Black racism."