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Patricia A. Banks is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College, with affiliations in Africana Studies and the Program in Entrepreneurship, Organizations, and Society. She holds a Ph.D. and A.M. from Harvard University and a B.A. (summa cum laude, valedictorian) from Spelman College. Her research explores intersections of culture, consumption, and race, focusing on African Diaspora dynamics. Key areas include cultural philanthropy, art collecting as identity practice, and corporate diversity capital. She authored Black Culture, Inc. (Stanford 2022), winning the Oliver Cromwell Cox Book Award, and Race, Ethnicity, and Consumption (Routledge 2020). Recent honors include ASA awards and fellowships from the CASBS (Stanford), Sheila Biddle Ford Foundation, and Harvard’s Hutchins Center. She co-edits Poetics and serves on ASA committees. Teaching awards include recognition from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center and Mount Holyoke’s Baccalaureate address. Her work spans books, peer-reviewed articles, and media engagements (NYT, Artnet). The African American Museums Database, her digital archive, catalogs over 300 institutions. Current projects address corporate diversity signaling, African art markets, and dress code discrimination.

• Sociology of Culture
• Sociology of Art
• Consumers and Consumption
• +3 more

Charles D. Piot is a Professor and Bass Fellow in the Department of Cultural Anthropology at Duke University's Arts & Sciences. His work spans contemporary culture and politics, histories of slavery and colonialism, and transnational African diasporic studies. Ph.D., University of Virginia (1986) M.A., University of Virginia (1982) B.A., Princeton University (1973) Research focuses on francophone West Africa , particularly Togo, with theoretical contributions to modernity , biopolitics , postcolonialism , and transnational migration . He explores how globalization, NGOs, and religious movements reshape sovereignty and social structures. Recent work examines urban informality and economic resilience in African microenterprises. His publications include award-winning books Nostalgia For the Future (2010) and Remotely Global (1999), alongside peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from visa lottery systems to ethnographic theory. As co-editor of Cultural Anthropology (2011-2015), he advanced open-access publishing initiatives. Scientific awards include the African Politics Conference Group Award for Best Book on African Politics (2010) Royal Anthropological Institute's Amaury Talbot Prize (1999) African Studies Association's Herskovits Prize finalist (1999)

• Transnationalism
• Political Economy
• Post Colonialism
• +7 more

Dr. Ronald C. McCurdy is a Professor of Music at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music and former Chair of the Jazz Studies Department (2002-2008). A distinguished academic and performer, he has held leadership roles such as Associate Dean of the Culture, Community & Impact Committee and served as Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at USC (1999-2001). His career spans decades, including chairing the Afro-African American Studies Department and directing Jazz Studies at the University of Minnesota (1990-1999), and a Visiting Professorship at Maria-Curie Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland (1997). PhD, University of Kansas (1983) MM, University of Kansas (1978) BM, Florida A&M University (1976) Dr. McCurdy's research and professional work focus on Jazz Studies , African American Music , and Artist Entrepreneurship . He has pioneered innovative educational approaches through publications like Teaching Music in Performance Through Jazz and The Artist Entrepreneur , blending pedagogy with cultural analysis. His Langston Hughes Project , a multimedia exploration of Hughes' poetry, has been performed internationally with artists like Ice-T and premiered at iconic venues such as Disney Hall (2015) and the Grammy Museum (2019). His publications demonstrate expertise in Jazz education , African American cultural theory , and performance pedagogy , with works including African Americans and Popular Culture (2007) and Meet the Great Jazz Legends (2004). These contributions reflect his commitment to preserving jazz heritage while advancing contemporary academic discourse. Jazz Educator of the Year 2005 (LA Jazz Society) Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Kansas (2001) FM Awards Winner for Best 'Live' Performance (2015) Dr. McCurdy has shaped global jazz education through roles at the Grammy Foundation , Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp , and Walt Disney All-American Summer College Jazz Ensemble . He has collaborated with legendary artists including Joe Williams , Rosemary Clooney , Arturo Sandoval , and Dianne Reeves , while performing with Yamaha International Corporation as a featured artist. His creative projects, such as the Shanghai Jazz: A Cultural Mix premiere (2019), highlight his dedication to cross-cultural artistic exchange.

• Jazz Studies
• African American Music
• Music Education
• +3 more

Tony N. Brown is a Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Rice University, directing the Racism and Racial Experiences Workgroup (RARE) and the STaRT@Rice Program. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan (1998), with prior tenure at Vanderbilt University. His research focuses on critical race theory, examining mechanisms of racism's impact on mental health, racial identity, and societal structures. Key themes include anti-Blackness, racial trauma, and systemic inequities. Brown has secured federal funding for his work and contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed publications. He was a finalist for Rice University’s 2023 George R. Brown Award for Teaching Excellence. Education: Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (1998) M.A. in Sociology, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (1993) B.S. in Sociology, University of Maryland - Eastern Shore (1991) Research interests span racial socialization, health disparities, and quantitative methods. His work combines community-based surveys with policy analysis, addressing contemporary issues like racial apathy among white populations and the mental health implications of racial discrimination. Notable projects include studying the psychological effects of Barack Obama’s presidential elections on Black communities and analyzing racialized stress in military veterans. His recent articles emphasize the intersection of race, politics, and mental health, with studies on Black nationalist tendencies and viral racism during the pandemic. Awards include recognition for teaching excellence and contributions to sociological scholarship. Brown actively collaborates across disciplines, holding roles in Rice’s sociology department and interdisciplinary programs.

• Critical Race Theory
• Sociology of Mental Health
• Anti-Blackness
• +8 more

Carolle Charles is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, Baruch College, City University of New York. With a career spanning several decades, she has established herself as a leading scholar in Haitian Studies, Gender Studies, and Immigration Studies, with particular focus on the Haitian diaspora experience in the United States. Education: Ph.D., Sociology, SUNY-Binghamton M.A., Political Science, UQUAM, Montreal Canada B.A., Political Science, UQUAM Montreal, Canada B.A., Political Science, U. de Chile Professor Charles's research centers on the complex intersections of race, gender, and immigration, particularly examining how Haitian immigrants navigate identity formation in the United States. Her work challenges conventional understandings of Blackness by exploring how Haitian immigrants experience and redefine racial categories within the American context. She has made significant contributions to understanding Haitian women's experiences, both in Haiti and in diaspora communities, with particular attention to how gender intersects with class, race, and national identity. Her scholarly work reveals consistent themes across decades of research: the fluidity of racial identity among Haitian immigrants, the gendered dimensions of migration and settlement, and the political consciousness that emerges from the Haitian diaspora experience. Professor Charles has documented how Haitian immigrants have actively reshaped American understandings of Blackness while simultaneously maintaining connections to their homeland. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Fellow (2000-2001) Community Services Award from Haitian Cultural Society (1994) Baruch College Research Fellowship (1982) Sociology Department Fellowship at SUNY-Binghamton (1979-1982) Professor Charles has served as a dedicated mentor to numerous students through independent study courses and has been actively involved in institutional service at Baruch College, including serving on the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Committee, the Social Affairs Committee (as Chair), and the School of Social Sciences Mentoring Program. She has also contributed significantly to professional organizations, notably serving as President of the Haitian Studies Association (2016-2017) and holding leadership positions in the Caribbean Studies Association. Her community engagement extends to founding roles in organizations like AFSC/Haitian Community Dialogue and DWA FANM, a Haitian Immigrant Women Organization.

• Haitian Studies
• Gender Studies
• Immigration Studies
• +5 more

Yvette C. Latunde is a Professor of Organizational Leadership at the University of La Verne's LaFetra College of Education. She previously served as Director of the Center for Educational Equity and Intercultural Research (CEEIR). Her work focuses on equity-centered leadership, family-school-community partnerships, and leveraging Black family resources to support student success. Latunde is a leading voice in culturally responsive education, having authored influential books like Equitable by Design and Research in Parental Involvement . Her research interests include inclusion, transformative leadership, neurodiversity, and dismantling inequities through culturally proficient frameworks. Latunde has published extensively on African American family engagement, dual capacity-building models, and faith-based interventions in education. She co-founded the Black Parent Advisory Councils to strengthen community-school ties. Latunde's scholarship emphasizes hospitality theory in school inclusion and values-based leadership practices for marginalized groups. Her work bridges academic research with practical strategies for educators, policymakers, and community leaders. She holds a Doctorate in Education (EdD) and has over two decades of experience in K-12 and higher education settings. Her advisory roles include serving on the Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. Latunde’s research has been featured in Frontiers in Education , Journal of Negro Education , and Journal of Multicultural Education , reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to social justice in education.

• Family Engagement
• Equity in Education
• Neurodiversity
• +7 more

Dean McFarlin serves as Dean and Professor of Management at the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business, Duquesne University. He has led the School since 2013, overseeing major initiatives including the renovation of Rockwell Hall, strategic planning, alumni engagement, and fundraising. His leadership includes launching the Duquesne New Venture Challenge and establishing eight centers of excellence for applied research and education. Education: Ph.D., Social/Organizational Psychology (SUNY-Buffalo); B.A., Psychology (Marquette University). Prior roles include Chair of Management and Marketing at the University of Dayton and professorships at Marquette University. Research focuses on cross-cultural management, organizational justice, leadership, and executive influence. Over 100 publications and conference presentations highlight contributions to global leadership, entrepreneurship, and intercultural dynamics. Key works include International Organizational Behavior and International Management: Strategic Opportunities and Cultural Challenges . Leadership initiatives include the Executive-in-Residence Program and diverse faculty recruitment. His work emphasizes bridging theory and practice, with centers supporting innovation in investment strategy, professional selling, and applied research.

• Cross-Cultural Management
• Organizational Justice
• Leadership
• +3 more

Donna Rilling is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Stony Brook University, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (1993) and specializes in early American history, particularly the Early Republic period (1780s–1850s), with teaching spanning from the colonial era through the Civil War. Her research focuses on the history of capitalism, labor (free and enslaved), business and entrepreneurship, household production, gender roles, technological change, and the relationship between legal institutions and economic development. She is particularly interested in urban environmental history and the socio-political dynamics surrounding industrialization and infrastructure in 19th-century American cities. Rilling is the author of Making Houses, Crafting Capitalism: Builders in Philadelphia, 1790–1850 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2001), which explores the role of master builders as entrepreneurs in Philadelphia’s urban expansion. She is currently working on two major book projects: Mill Creek: A Biography , an environmental and social history of a contested urban waterway in 19th-century Philadelphia, and Foreclosed: The Struggles of a Black Community in Nineteenth-Century Philadelphia , which examines the experiences of a free Black community marginalized by municipal neglect and urban development. She is deeply committed to public history and historic preservation, having successfully nominated the African Friends to Harmony Burial Ground to Philadelphia’s Register of Historic Sites and co-authored nominations for other significant African American historical sites, including the William and Letitia Still Underground Railroad Way Station and the Stephen and Harriet Smith—William and Harriet Whipper Abolitionist houses. Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1993 Her scholarly contributions reflect a sustained engagement with the intersections of economy, law, race, and environment in American urban history. While no specific grants or advising roles are listed, her active research agenda and preservation work demonstrate ongoing scholarly and civic engagement.

• Early American History
• History of Capitalism
• Social History
• +12 more

Professor Jamie Wilson serves in the Department of History at Salem State University, teaching courses including African American history, U.S. history, and specialized seminars on jazz culture and civil rights movements. His academic credentials include: PhD in History from New York University MA in History from New York University BA in History from the University of Delaware Wilson's research centers on Black History, Race and Ethnicity Studies, and United States History, with particular emphasis on 20th-century African American experiences. His work examines civil rights activism, cultural expressions like jazz, religious practices in Harlem, and health politics in Black communities, revealing systemic inequalities and community resilience. His publication trajectory from 1999-2023 shows consistent scholarly engagement with African American history through diverse formats. Books address foundational movements like the Civil Rights era and Black Panther Party, while journal articles explore nuanced topics including magico-religious practices, student protests, and health disparities in Harlem, demonstrating methodological range across social, cultural, and political history. No scientific awards are documented in available sources. While specific grant funding isn't cited, his extensive publication record and course development in African American history suggest sustained research activity. The absence of student listings or lab descriptions indicates either unpublicized mentorship or primary focus on independent scholarship.

• Black History
• History of Race and Ethnicity
• Race and Ethnicity Studies
• +1 more

S. Garnett Russell is an Associate Professor of International and Comparative Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, directing the International and Comparative Education Program and the George Clement Bond Center for African Education. Their research focuses on education's role in post-conflict societies, refugee education, human rights, and citizenship formation, often using mixed-methods approaches. Russell holds a PhD from Stanford University and has significant expertise in global education policy and transitional justice. Key research areas include post-genocide Rwanda, South Africa, Colombia, and urban refugee populations. Current projects examine transitional justice education in Colombia, civic identity among immigrant/refugee youth in the U.S., and refugee education policy. Russell has authored/co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles, policy briefs, and book chapters, with recent work analyzing language policies, textbook discourses, and human rights education implementation. Awards and recognitions are not explicitly listed, but their work has been supported by grants from Dubai Cares/INEE and the Spencer Foundation. Russell advises students in comparative and international education, focusing on fieldwork methodologies and policy analysis. Their teaching emphasizes global educational inequities and the sociopolitical dimensions of schooling.

• International Education
• Conflict and Peacebuilding
• Refugee Education
• +4 more

Michael H. Morris is Professor of the Practice at the University of Notre Dame , serving within the Keough School of Global Affairs and its McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business . He is an internationally recognized scholar and educator in entrepreneurship, with a special focus on social entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation. Education : Morris earned his PhD in marketing from Virginia Tech in 1983, laying the foundation for his lifelong academic and applied work in entrepreneurship. His research interests span a wide range of entrepreneurship-related areas, including new venture creation , social entrepreneurship , entrepreneurship and poverty , entrepreneurial marketing , opportunity recognition , and resourcing strategies . He is particularly known for his work on entrepreneurship education and experiential learning , having built three university entrepreneurship programs ranked among the top 10 in the U.S. His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on entrepreneurship as a response to poverty , racial identity and entrepreneurship , and the structural challenges faced by disadvantaged entrepreneurs . These works collectively contribute to a growing body of knowledge on inclusive entrepreneurship and the systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities. Awards and Recognition : Max S. Wortman, Jr. Award for Lifetime Achievement in Entrepreneurship Academy of Management Dedication to Entrepreneurship Award Leavey Award from the Freedoms Foundation 2021 Legacy Award from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers USASBE Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year (2012) Fortune Small Business Top 20 Entrepreneurship Professor Fulbright Scholar Community Engagement and Programs : Morris has founded and directs several impactful initiatives: Global Partnership for Poverty and Entrepreneurship – a consortium for scholars and practitioners Urban Poverty and Business Initiative – supports low-income urban entrepreneurs Entrepreneurship Empowerment in South Africa Program – student engagement in Cape Town South Bend Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program – over 400 graduates He also leads The Experiential Classroom , a global clinic for entrepreneurship educators, and has served as President of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) .

• Entrepreneurship
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Poverty and Entrepreneurship
• +7 more

Robert Brown serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Spelman College, where he has held faculty positions since 2013. His teaching portfolio includes foundational courses in Data Analysis & Research Methods (PSC 203) and Urban Government & Policy Making (PSC 340), emphasizing methodological rigor in political inquiry. His academic credentials include: B.A. from Brown University Ph.D. from the University of Michigan MSPH from Emory University Dr. Brown's research critically examines race-politics intersections through multiple lenses: Black political participation dynamics, urban governance structures, and critical race theory applications. His scholarship consistently investigates how racial identity shapes political representation, public policy formation, and social movement emergence in American cities. Recent work extends into data science pedagogy, bridging quantitative methods with substantive political analysis to modernize curriculum development. Publication trends from 2017-2021 reveal concentrated scholarly activity in racial representation frameworks and urban political economy, with notable expansion into critical race theory foundations and data science integration. His work demonstrates methodological evolution from historical analysis of the Great Migration's political impacts toward contemporary examinations of Black municipal leadership in public housing transformation. Scientific Awards: No awards or fellowships were documented in available sources. Advising and Grants: The provided materials contain no information regarding graduate student mentorship, research grants, or sponsored projects. Labs and Teams: No affiliations with research laboratories, collaborative teams, or institutional research centers were indicated in the source materials.

• Race and Politics
• Urban Politics
• Black Political Participation
• +3 more

Swati Srivastava is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Purdue University, College of Liberal Arts. She joined Purdue in 2018 after completing her Ph.D. at Northwestern University, M.A. in international relations from the University of Chicago, and B.A. in political science from UCLA. Ph.D., Political Science, Northwestern University M.A., International Relations, University of Chicago B.A., Political Science, University of California Los Angeles Her research focuses on international relations , particularly on private actors in global governance , sovereignty theories , and algorithmic governance . She examines how nonstate actors like corporations, NGOs, and Big Tech reshape traditional concepts of sovereignty and responsibility. Key projects include her book Hybrid Sovereignty in World Politics (Cambridge University Press) and an undergraduate research lab on Big Tech and Political Responsibility. Professor Srivastava's work addresses the intersection of corporate power , state authority , and ethical accountability in global politics. She employs constructivist and relational approaches to analyze governance structures. Excellence in Discovery and Creative Endeavors Award, College of Liberal Arts Kenneth T. Kofmehl Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award Antonia Syson Cornerstone Outstanding Teaching Award Her research has been funded by major institutions including the National Endowment for the Humanities , Andrew Mellon Foundation , American Council of Learned Societies , and Buffett Institute for Global Studies . Srivastava's publications span topics like AI governance, surveillance capitalism, and historical sovereignty dynamics, with a focus on hybrid governance models and ethical frameworks.

• International Relations
• Global Governance
• Private Actors in World Politics
• +5 more

John Edwin Mason is an Associate Professor at the University of Virginia , specializing in African history, the history of photography, and cultural studies. He co-directs the Holsinger Portrait Project and has published extensively on South African history, post-emancipation societies, and 20th-century African American visual culture. Education: B.A. (University of Cincinnati, 1984), M.A./Ph.D. (Yale University, 1988/1992) Research Focus: Mason's work bridges historical analysis with documentary practice, emphasizing: South African slavery and emancipation Visual narratives of the Cape Town Carnival Photography's role in civil rights discourse Race/gender dynamics in American motorsports Recent Publications (2016-2021) examine intersections of: Visual justice and Black photography collectives Jazz's photographic documentation Photographic ethics in protest coverage Historical trauma in contemporary visual media As a documentary photographer, Mason has contributed to exhibitions like Visual Justice (Wichita State University, 2015-16) and Gordon Parks: The Making of an Argument (University of Virginia, 2013-14). His blog combines photo history with personal narratives of race and identity in America.

• African History
• History of Photography
• South African Popular Culture
• +5 more

Marco Williams is a Professor in the Department of Radio/Television/Film at Northwestern University's School of Communication, where he leverages documentary filmmaking to explore critical intersections of race, history, and justice in America. An acclaimed director with over three decades of impactful work, his films serve as vital educational resources and catalysts for national dialogue on social issues. His academic foundation includes: MFA in Afro-American Studies, UCLA MFA in Producer’s Program, UCLA BA in Visual and Environmental Studies, Harvard University Williams' research centers on documentary as a tool for social change, with primary focus on African American historical narratives, civil rights legacies, and systemic inequities. His cinema verite approach combines rigorous scholarship with compelling storytelling to illuminate underrepresented perspectives and challenge dominant historical narratives. This methodology has established him as a leading voice in visual anthropology and critical race studies within media production. His filmography reveals consistent thematic evolution toward deeper examinations of institutional racism and resilience, with recent works expanding into educational equity and cultural memory. Williams' films frequently bridge academic research and public engagement through PBS broadcasts, film festival circuits, and community screenings that spark participatory dialogue. His extensive honors include: Emmy Award for Freedom Summer George Foster Peabody Award for Two Towns of Jasper Alfred I duPont Silver Baton Guggenheim Fellowship Lehman Brady Visiting Professorship at Duke/UNC National Association of Black Journalists Award Pan African Film Festival Awards Williams maintains significant academic influence through his professorship at Northwestern and previous role at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where he shaped emerging filmmakers' approaches to ethical storytelling and social documentation.

• Documentary Filmmaking
• African American History
• Social Justice
• +3 more