معرفی
Joi Carr is a Professor of English & Film and the Blanche E. Seaver Professor of Humanities and Teacher Education at Pepperdine University's Seaver College, where she serves as Director of Film and Academic Director of the Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports. Her interdisciplinary work bridges film, literature, and cultural studies with a focus on African American experiences and artistic expression.
Her academic credentials include:
- PhD in English, Literature and Film Studies, Claremont Graduate University
- MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (English, Theater, History), Texas Tech University
- MA in Religion Interdisciplinary History, Pepperdine University
- MLS and MDR in Law (Legal Studies and Dispute Resolution), Pepperdine University
- BS in Bible and Ministry and BA in Liberal Arts, Lubbock Christian University (Summa and Magna Cum Laude)
- Post-Doctoral Certificates in Women's and Gender Studies and African Studies, Claremont Graduate University
Carr's research explores intersections of African American literature, film, and cultural identity, with particular emphasis on Black women's voice, vocation, and representation. She investigates how religion, music, and the arts shape narratives of identity and social justice, developing innovative models for arts-based critical pedagogy that engage diverse student populations through creative practice.
Her scholarly publications analyze representations of Blackness across Hollywood and independent cinema, examining historical realism in films like Django Unchained, agency in works by Kasi Lemmons, and cultural significance of figures like Reginald Hudlin. Concentrated in the last decade, her work frequently appears in Black Camera International Journal, contributing to critical discourse on race, gender, and cinematic representation.
Carr founded and directs Pepperdine's Multicultural Theatre Project, producing over 15 original plays since 2001 that explore social justice themes through music and narrative. These productions, often featuring nationally recognized artists like Tony Award winner L. Scott Caldwell, connect academic inquiry with creative practice while leading the Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports to bridge classroom learning with industry opportunities.
