Jacinta R. Saffold

Jacinta R. Saffold serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the University of Delaware's College of Arts & Sciences, where her research bridges African American literary studies, Hip Hop scholarship, and digital humanities methodologies. Her institutional affiliations include active participation in the College of Arts & Sciences' academic initiatives and leadership in diversity-focused administrative roles.

Saffold's scholarly work centers on 20th-21st century African American literature with emphasis on street lit, hip-hop cultural production, and bibliographic recovery. She investigates cross-medium storytelling techniques and coming-of-age narratives within Black literary traditions, currently developing her manuscript Books & Beats: The Cultural Kinship of Street Lit and Hip Hop alongside the computational Essence Book Project analyzing Essence Magazine's bestsellers (1994-2010).

Her publication trends reveal deep engagement with Black bibliography, digital archival practices, and social justice discourse. Recent works examine literary recovery through digital communities, the cultural significance of bestseller lists, and hip-hop's influence on contemporary Black fiction while advocating for diversity in academic leadership.

Saffold's scholarly recognition includes:

• Mellon/ACLS Public Fellowship
• Mellon Mays Fellowship
• Inaugural Dorothy Porter Wesley Fellowship in Black critical bibliography
• David Ruggles young book collectors of color award
• Society of Fellows in Critical Bibliography membership
• Louisiana Board of Regents Award to Artists and Scholars

She has secured research funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Louisiana Board of Regents, Institute for Citizens & Scholars, and Black Book Interactive Project. Her administrative experience spans university admissions, diversity initiatives, and student success programming. Saffold co-founded the Black Women’s Studies Association and leads collaborative teams for the Essence Book Project, which employs digital tools to analyze African American literary circulation and reception.