Sherwin K. Bryant

Sherwin K. Bryant is an Associate Professor and Director of the Center for African and African American Studies at Rice University. His research focuses on the African Diaspora, slavery, and colonial governance across Latin America and the U.S. South. He holds a PhD and has authored major works like Rivers of Gold, Lives of Bondage (2014).

Research Interests: Bryant examines the intersection of slavery, colonial rule, and resistance in regions including Colombia, Ecuador, and North Carolina. His work highlights how enslaved individuals shaped legal frameworks and challenged colonial systems. Current projects include a book on Afro-Pacific slavery in Colombia and the film Just Across the River, documenting Gullah-Geechee heritage.

Grants & Awards: Supported by Fulbright, Ford Foundation, and the ACLS-Mellon Fellowship (2021-22). Collaborates with the African American Heritage Foundation of Southeastern North Carolina (AAHFSNC) on community-driven projects.

Labs/Initiatives: Leads Just Beyond the River: A Black Humanities Initiative, integrating oral histories and film to preserve Black cultural heritage in NC's coastal regions.