Anika Simpson

Dr. Anika Simpson is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Howard University's College of Arts & Sciences. She is also the Founding Director of Black Queer Everything, a Mellon Foundation-funded initiative supporting scholars, activists, and artists dedicated to Black liberation.

• PhD in Philosophy, University of Memphis
• BA in Philosophy, Spelman College

Her research is rooted in Black feminist philosophy, Queer Theory, and the Philosophy of Gender, Race, and Sexuality. Dr. Simpson employs a queer Black feminist lens to examine systemic harms faced by unmarried Black mothers, particularly in the context of marriage, racial justice, and freedom. Her work bridges academic scholarship with activism and institution-building at Historically Black Universities, emphasizing transformative education and social change.

While no publications are listed in the provided text, her forthcoming book with Oxford University Press (2025) indicates active scholarly output in critical social philosophy, centering Black women's experiences and liberation.

Dr. Simpson is deeply committed to advancing racial, gender, and LGBTQ+ justice through education, mentorship, and institutional leadership. Though no specific awards or grants beyond the Mellon Foundation support are mentioned, her role as Founding Director reflects significant recognition and funding for her interdisciplinary and community-engaged work.

She plays a vital role in shaping philosophical discourse and academic community building through her leadership in the Department of Philosophy and the Black Queer Everything initiative.