WHO AM I

I am an Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at a top 50 public university, research associate at the Center for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE), and Executive Board member for the NAACP's Media Area Chapter. 

With B.S. degrees in Sociology and Political Science, accompanied by a certificate in African American Studies from the University of Maryland, I pursued advanced degrees at Auburn University, earning an M.S. and Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies.

My research, featured in outlets like the Atlantic, Yahoo News, and Black Enterprise, focuses on social-psychological and identity processes within young adults' relationships, including within the context of transformative educational experiences.
 

Currently, I am on sabbatical writing up the results of a research project on trauma-informed and anti-racist professional development for K-12 teachers. Intended for a broad audience, including those in supportive roles for Black youth, my book explores the cultural psychology of teachers. Specifically, it examines how teachers in urban areas construct and narrate their role when working with Black youth, foregrounding the broader systems they operate within and the structural and material conditions of their lives.
 

My college teaching portfolio includes courses in Human Development and Family Studies, Sociology, and African-American Studies, where I also serve in leadership roles. Examples include such as co-chairing the Joint Curricular Task Force on Racial and Social Justice, co-chairing the search for a Director for the institutionally abandoned Center for Social Justice, and co-authoring More Rivers to Cross.

 

Beyond the university, I conduct workshops on trauma-informed pedagogy for schools and organizations, showcasing a commitment to practical and impactful education. My expertise has been sought by notable entities, including the National Football League (NFL) and the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), where I contribute in advisory capacities, showcasing the real-world applications of my research.