Msia Kibona Clark

Dr. Msia Kibona Clark is an Associate Professor in the Department of African Studies at Howard University, where she also directs the Hip-Hop Studies minor. Her research focuses on African cultural and feminist studies, particularly exploring hip-hop’s role in shaping identities and social movements. She has authored four books, including Hip Hop in Africa: Prophets of the City and Dustyfoot Philosophers and African Women in Digital Spaces. Clark teaches courses on hip-hop’s social impact and Black women in popular culture, co-developing cross-institutional programs with George Washington University.

• Institution: Howard University
• Affiliations: Editorial boards of Journal of African Cultural Studies and Global Hip Hop Studies Journal
• Key Roles: Board member of DICOTA and CODESRIA

Her work emphasizes digital activism, African feminist cyberactivism, and hip-hop’s role in Pan-Africanism. Clark produces the Hip Hop African Blog & Podcast, featuring artists across Africa and the diaspora. She holds a Ph.D. from Howard University (2006) and has been recognized as a Fulbright Scholar (2013/14).

Recent research includes decolonizing methodologies in African studies and algorithmic resistance against gender-based digital harms.

• Key Awards: Fulbright Scholarship
• Key Projects: Hip-Hop Studies conferences (2023-2024), Howard’s Hip-Hop Studies minor