LaVelle Ridley

LaVelle Ridley is an Assistant Professor of Queer/Trans* Studies at The Ohio State University’s Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Her work focuses on intersections of queer and transgender studies, Black feminisms, and African American literary/cultural studies. She holds a Ph.D. (2023), M.A. (2019), and B.A. (2016) from University of Michigan and University of Toledo respectively.

Her research explores how Black trans women utilize life narratives and oral histories to reimagine freedom through projects like her book Imagining Freedom. She collaborates with interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Mellon Foundation-funded TEN:TACLES and serves as Book Reviews Editor for TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly.

Dr. Ridley has received the University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023-24) and numerous grants supporting her community-engaged scholarship. She actively contributes to academic organizations like MLA and NWSA, while advocating for marginalized youth through arts-based activism.