David A. Canton

Dr. David A. Canton is an Associate Professor of History and Director of the African American Studies Program at the University of Florida. Previously, he held leadership roles at Connecticut College, including Director of Africana Studies, Interim Dean of Institutional Equity and Inclusion, Chair of the History Department, and Co-Director of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program. He holds a B.A. in History from Morehouse College, an M.A. in Black Studies from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in History from Temple University.

His research focuses on African American history, the Black Freedom Struggle, and civil rights movements in the North. His award-winning book, Raymond Pace Alexander: A New Negro Lawyer Fights for Civil Rights in Philadelphia, explores civil rights activism from the New Negro era to the Black Power movement. Current projects include Radio Active: Turning Moments into Movements (co-authored with Joe Madison) and a biography of historian Lawrence Dunbar Reddick.

Canton’s articles appear in journals such as Western Journal of Black Studies, Pennsylvania History, and Journal of Urban History. His work addresses themes like racism, poverty, and racial representation in sports. His courses include the History of Hip Hop and the Black Freedom Struggle, with his African American history class featured on C-SPAN’s American History Television.

• Awards: 2011 W.E.B. DuBois Book Award
• Grants & Mentorship: Co-Director of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program, emphasizing mentorship for underrepresented students.

He is affiliated with the African American Studies Program and previously led the Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity at Connecticut College.