Dorothy Randall Tsuruta

Dorothy Randall Tsuruta is a Professor in the Department of Africana Studies at San Francisco State University (SFSU), housed within the College of Ethnic Studies. She previously served as Chair of Africana Studies and maintains active roles as faculty advisor to the SFSU Black Studies Journal, board member of the National Council for Black Studies, and judge for the College Language Association Poetry contest. Her contact details include email dtsuruta@sfsu.edu and phone 415-338-1861.

Her research centers on African American Literature, Black Studies, and Womanist Theory, with teaching expertise in African American literature and advanced composition. She has significantly contributed to foundational anthologies including Call and Response: The Riverside Anthology of the African American Literary Tradition (Houghton Mifflin, 1998) and published critical essays analyzing Gwendolyn Brooks' work. Her scholarly trajectory demonstrates deep engagement with Black literary traditions, feminist theory, and urban narratives.

Dr. Tsuruta's publications reveal consistent focus on 20th-century African American women writers, particularly through womanist theoretical frameworks. Her work frequently examines Chicago's literary landscape and intersects with broader themes of racial identity, gender, and urban experience in American literature.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Contest winner
• Best of Show award from Detroit Writers' Guild (2002)

Through editorial leadership and contest judging, she actively shapes scholarly discourse in Black Studies and literature. Her ongoing advisory roles and publication record indicate sustained contributions to academic communities beyond classroom teaching.