Derrais Carter

Derrais Carter (he/they) is an Associate Professor of Africana Studies at UMass Boston. Their work bridges academic research with creative practice, focusing on Black cultural studies through the lens of queerness and trans identity.

• Role: Associate Professor, Africana Studies
• Research: Black queer/trans studies, popular culture analysis, and critical race theory

Central to Carter's practice is the exploration of African American cultural history through multimedia projects. Their notable work Black Revelry: In Honor of 'The Sugar Shack' (2021) interrogates Ernie Barnes' iconic painting through contemporary Black queer theory and artistic intervention. The 2020 publication Sent further demonstrates their commitment to interdisciplinary analysis of Black cultural production.

While no formal awards are listed in the provided materials, Carter's academic contributions intersect with If I Can't Dance's broader programming around performance studies, ecological justice, and postcolonial frameworks, suggesting affiliations with European art academies through collaborative teaching engagements.