Brenda Flanagan

Brenda Flanagan, the Edward M. Armfield Sr. Professor of English at Davidson College, is an award-winning author and cultural ambassador with a profound impact on African American and Caribbean literature. She teaches courses in creative writing, Caribbean literature, and African American literature while completing a memoir about her formative year with Nina Simone.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Michigan
• M.A., University of Michigan
• B.A., University of Michigan

Flanagan's research explores intersections of Caribbean and African American identities, civil rights history, and surrealist art. Her work as a U.S. cultural ambassador spans 20+ countries, including historic visits to Libya and Central Asia. She co-founded Davidson's Africana Studies curriculum and received multiple NEH Fellowships.

Recent publications include analyses of African American poetry and collaborations on Czech surrealist dissent. Awards highlight her teaching excellence (Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award) and literary achievements (Hopwood Awards, Michener Fellowship). Her memoir-in-progress examines Nina Simone's enduring influence on her academic and creative trajectory.