Jeffrey C. Stewart

Jeffrey C. Stewart is a Distinguished Professor of Black Studies and MacArthur endowed Chair at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has served as Chair of the Department of Black Studies (2007–2016) and led initiatives like the North Hall 1968 Takeover Display and Jeffrey’s Jazz Coffeehouse. His research focuses on African American history, cultural studies, and biography.

Education:

• B.A. in Philosophy (with honors), UC Santa Cruz
• M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. in American Studies, Yale University (1979)

Research Interests: Stewart’s work bridges intellectual history and cultural analysis. His Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Alain Locke explores the intersection of personal and intellectual legacies. He also curates exhibitions, such as Paul Robeson: Artist and Citizen, and writes on jazz history and visual arts.

Awards & Recognition: His 2018 book The New Negro won the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize, alongside numerous other accolades. His scholarship emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to African American cultural and intellectual history.

Grants & Advising: Stewart has held fellowships at Harvard, Yale, UCLA, and the Terra Foundation. He advises projects linking historical analysis with public engagement, such as immersive jazz experiences tied to his courses.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with museums and academic networks to produce exhibitions and scholarly catalogues, blending academic rigor with public accessibility.