Lionnell Smith

Lionnell “Badu” Smith is an Assistant Professor of Critical Communication Pedagogy at San Francisco State University’s Department of Communication Studies. His research focuses on Afrocentric rhetorical traditions, language and race dynamics, and the intersection of religion with communication practices. A Fulbright-Hays Scholar, he has conducted fieldwork in Ghana (2018) and Nigeria (2022).

Dr. Smith holds a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Memphis. He teaches courses emphasizing revolutionary, decolonial, and culturally relevant pedagogies, encouraging students to critically analyze power structures in communication. Before joining SF State, he was a full-time lecturer at the University of Waterloo in Canada.

His work has been recognized nationally for bridging communication theory with social justice, particularly in linguistic justice and anti-racist education. He contributes to journals like Departures in Critical Qualitative Research and Listening: Journal of Communication Ethics.

Dr. Smith actively engages in community-based scholarship and pedagogical innovation, advocating for classrooms that foster critical consciousness and social action. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, a Marvel/DC enthusiast, and a committed mentor to students and community members.