EDUCATION
Ph.D.
Political Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
Political Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky(1996)
Areas of Specialty: Classical, Contemporary and American Political Theory and Philosophy, Comparative Politics, Political Violence, Black Political Thought, Black Politics, Civil Rights, Social Movements, the Black Male, African Diasporic Social Formations, Race and Class.
M.A.Political Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
Political Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky(1995)
B.A. Political Science, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia
Political Science, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia(1992)
1987-1989 United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MarylandGraduate United States Naval Academy Preparatory School, Newport, Rhode Island
United States Naval Academy Preparatory School, Newport, Rhode Island(1987)
TEACHING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
July, 2009 – PresentProfessor, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
Professor, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville, Louisville, KentuckyMay, 2007 – PresentDirector, Center on Race and Inequality, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
Director, Center on Race and Inequality, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville, Louisville, KentuckyJanuary, 2004 – July, 2008 Chair, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
May, 2002 – June, 2009 Associate Professor, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville
Associate Professor, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of LouisvilleJune, 2002 – June, 2003 Dean’s Administrative Intern, Office of the Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville
Dean’s Administrative Intern, Office of the Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville June, 2002 – June, 2003 Vice-Chair, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville
Vice-Chair, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of LouisvilleAugust, 1996 - May, 2002Assistant Professor, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville
Assistant Professor, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of LouisvilleAugust, 1995 - May, 1996Instructor, Department of Political Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
Instructor, Department of Political Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KentuckyAugust, 1994 - May, 1996Graduate Assistant, Office of the Dean of Students, University of Kentucky,
Graduate Assistant, Office of the Dean of Students, University of Kentucky, National Pan-Hellenic Council Advisor and Diversity ProgrammerJune, 1995 - July, 1995 National Science Foundation Multi-cultural Visiting Scholar, Department of Political Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
National Science Foundation Multi-cultural Visiting Scholar, Department of Political Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NebraskaPUBLICATIONS
Books
Jones, R. (2008). What’s wrong with Obamamania?: Black America, Black Leadership, and the Death of Political Imagination (State University of New York Press).
Juxtaposes the meteoric rise of Barack Obama with far-reaching—and disturbing—shifts in black leadership in post–Civil Rights America. Barack Obama’s sudden arrival on the national scene created a wave of excitement in American politics - a phenomenon dubbed “Obamamania. What’s Wrong with Obamamania? places Obama’s run for the presidency in the context of deep and often disturbing shifts in black leadership before and after the 1960s. From Charles Hamilton Houston to Thurgood Marshall to Jesse Jackson, from prosperity preachers to megachurches, from W. E. B. Du Bois’s Talented Tenth and civil rights advocates to Black Entertainment Television and hip-hop culture, an American socio-political environment marked by lowered expectations, cynicism, and nihilism that should give us all pause is examined.
Selected Reviews:
From Publishers Weekly: Barack Obama's presidential campaign [is used] to launch a fascinating and well-researched exploration into black leadership in America. The author is thoughtful and balanced in his assessment of the changing nature of black leadership—from W.E.B. Du Bois to Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesse Jackson—and in his evaluation of the challenges facing the black community's newest generation of leaders. In dense, academic prose that often encumbers his analysis, Jones contextualizes the Obama campaign as he documents the troubled state of politics in black America, illustrating the enduring effects of slavery and segregation and charting the burgeoning influence of modern megachurches, hip-hop culture and BET. Although Jones raises more questions than he answers, this book makes a compelling case for black leaders to re-examine, augment and sometimes discard old approaches and methods. Jones lucidly enumerates the challenges, choices and limitations Obama will face as he attempts to win the presidency, and provides a level of racial analysis and exploration that is almost entirely absent in the mainstream media.
From Booklist (*Starred Review*): Obama is black but not a “race man,” a position that has made him “painfully safe” and unlikely to effect real change in American race relations, from the historic perspective of black leaders from W. E. B. DuBois to Martin Luther King Jr., according to Jones. He examines Obama’s political career in the broader context of the post–civil rights generation, with its confusing and conflicting views on racial and personal responsibility, greed and ambition versus social justice. Jones laments how black politics has degenerated from debate about the efficacy of a Talented Tenth to the money-grubbing preaching of prosperity churches and growing division along class lines. Moreover, Obama’s mixed racial heritage and avoidance of discussion of race, until recently, fit neatly into a paradigm that says race and racism are concerns of the past. Even as African Americans celebrate Obama’s viability as a presidential candidate, Jones cautions against the tendency to romanticize black leaders, a tendency that may saddle Obama with unrealistic expectations and unfair criticism when he fails to meet them. Though a bit academic at times, this is a penetrating look at how race politics has evolved.
Jones, R. (2004). Black Haze: Violence, Sacrifice, and Manhood in Black Greek-letter Fraternities (State University of New York Press).
Black Haze was the first, and to date remains the only, scholarly work solely devoted to the subject of black fraternity hazing. Examining the five major black Greek-letter fraternities (BGFs), the core thesis maintains that, because of black male identity construction issues, hazing rituals within these groups are more deeply ingrained, physically violent, and imbued with meaning to their participants than the initiation rites of other ethnic groups. For multiple reasons, black fraternities and their members have come to see the ability to withstand physical abuse as the key ingredient in building and defining manhood. Readers of this book understand that more than an apology for or attack on fraternities, Black Haze is a sober examination of black American male identity and its development.
From the Journal of College Student Development: Jones' book should be read by all student affairs professionals who work in Greek affairs as well as students and researchers who need to gain a more in-depth account of BGFs, such as their historical, cultural, and social foundations as well as the issues impacting hazing in BGFs. Furthermore, this book is an important contribution to the literature on this topic because of the skillful manner in which Jones incorporates and critically analyzes relevant literature and other related scholarly writings which further help to facilitate a deeper understanding of the potential causes and magnitude of the violence associated with hazing in BGFs. However, the primary strength of this book is that Jones, himself a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, offers personal observations as well as first-hand views and perceptions of hazing. In this sense, Jones met his purpose of the book, which was to probe "the root of the problem where BGF hazing is concerned"
Book Chapters
Jones, R. (2006) “Martin Luther King Jr.: Finding the Man, Destroying the Myth” in Hall & Hall (ed.) “Iconomania” (Greenwood Press).
Jones, R. (2004). “Examining Violence in Black Fraternity Pledging” in Nuwer, Hank, “The Hazing Reader” (Indiana University Press).
Scholarly Articles
Jones, R. (2003). “Death Before Dishonor: De-Politicalization and the Failure of Black Greek Fraternal Leadership to Address It’s Internal Threat to Black Life,” International Journal of Africana Studies, Volume 8, No.1, p.45ff
Commentary on the lack of quality black leadership and explores leadership in black Greek-letter fraternities (BGFs) in the US. Black fraternities are, and have always been, populated by men who have been privileged with post-secondary education. Through matriculation at institutions of higher learning, one would think that BGF members would develop a complex understanding of, and subsequent commitment to, black struggle. Unfortunately, while it seems that the organizations began with a dedication to easing black despair early in their histories, the focus of the groups changed in the latter decades of the twentieth century.
______. (2002). “Black Hawk Down: Cynthia McKinney, America’s War on Terror, and the Rise of Bushism,” Black Scholar, Vol. 32, No. 3-4.
The defeat of Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who was running for re-election to her sixth term in office, is analyzed. The role of various groups who funded her black opponent, Denise Majette, is noted, and McKinney is contrasted with the new generation of black politicians who matured after the Civil Rights Movement. McKinney’s criticism of President George W. Bush is determined to be the most critical factor in her losing the election. “Bushism”, the rise in conservatism combined with nationalism in the post-September 11, 2001 is examined. It is characterized as a “realm that not only allows the existence of racism, classism, ethnic conflict, sexism and other myopic divisions, but helps to create and cultivate them.” The article argues that the most troubling aspect of the rise of Bushism is that because of the reshaping of institutional memory, American empire is dangerously recast in the wake of the terrorists' attacks and America's “submersion into international blood-thirst.”
______. (2001). “Between the Pulpit and the Polls: the Black Church’s Impact on Black Political Decision-making,” Griot, Vol. 20, No. 2 [Fall 2001] p.8-22.
Discusses the political influence African American ministers have on the African American community. Details the maneuvers by white politicians in Louisville, Kentucky, to gained support from African American ministers in order to win the votes of African Americans. Describes the problems these close connections between religious leaders and political leaders can cause for African Americans. Argues that African Americans must take strong stands against politically regressive agendas that are shrouded by the establishment of religio-political partnerships.
______. (2001). “The Liberatory Education of the Talented Tenth: Critical Consciousness and the Continuing Black Humanization Project,” Negro Educational Review, Vol. 52, No. 1-2.
Examines the conceptual coupling of W.E.B. Dubois's notion of the black Talented Tenth with Paulo Freire's idea of liberatory education, which encourages learners to challenge and change the world. Provides recommendations for changing existing educational models to produce African-descended students who will transform the world and lessen black suffering.
______. (2001). “Permanent American Hegemony: Liberalism, Domination, and the Continuing Crisis of Black Leadership,” Black Scholar, Vol. 31, Num. 2.
Applies Gramscian analysis to the American political system, arguing that racism is built into United States governmental structures. Criticizes liberal ideology for its endorsement of economic inequality and considers the role of black leadership and resistance within this set of structures.
______. (2000). “The Historical Social Significance of Sacrificial Ritual: Understanding Violence in the Modern Black Fraternity Pledge Process,” The Western Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 24. , Num. 2.
Investigates the practice of hazing in black Greek-letter fraternities and likens it to accepted ancient sacrificial rituals meant to establish respect and hierarchies. Posits that the pledge process is a functional and important ritual that requires greater research and observation before its often violent attributes can be controlled or prevented.
______. (1999). “The Hegemonic Struggle and Domination in Black Greek-Letter Fraternities,” Challenge: A Journal of Research on African-American Men, Fall/Winter 1999, Vol. 10, Num 1.
Places narrative and the historical roots of Black Greek-letter fraternities' (BGF) initiation rituals at the forefront of this study about hazing, domination and leadership struggles. Defines power in a political context, drawing a distinction between hegemony and domination. Differentiates between traditional pledging procedures and replacement Membership Intake Programs, noting that BGFs are debating whether the traditional process should be reenacted. Includes commentary from BGF members.
______. (1997). “Violence and the Politics of Black Male Identity in Post Modern America,” Journal of African-American Men, Vol.3, Num. 2.
Discusses African American Black male violence as a manifestation of socially-constructed identity rather than as a character trait which can be attributed to individuals. Analyzes hazing in Black Greek-letter fraternities (BGFs), and focuses on the Davis case, a violent pledging incident which resulted in the death of a Southeast Missouri State University student, Michael Davis. Asserts the political nature of identity formation, and points out that black men in the United States face pressures stemming from racism, modernization, and economic conditions, and that violent events such as the Davis case result from these pressures.
Magazines and Periodicals
Jones, R. (2007). “From School Daze to Stomp the Yard: Why Black Greeks Must Go,” DIVERSE Issues in Higher Education On-Line, February 7.
_______. (2004). “Is it time to disband black fraternities and sororities?” Black Issues in Higher Education, October 21, Vol. 21, Num 3, p.41
_______. (November, 2002- Present). “Keeping Up with the Jones”. Monthly column published by Louisville Eccentric Observer. Archived at www.leoweekly.com. Three-time winner (2004 - 2006) of “Best Minority/Women’s Reporting” Award from the Louisville Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
WORK IN PROGRESS
Book Manuscripts
“The Man Among Men: The Stories of the National Football League’s Black Head Coaches”
“The End of Race: Racial Moments, Movements, and Justice in Post-Racial America”
Articles
“Creating the Criminal: The Vita Activa and Criminality in Black Communities”
“Revisiting Obamamania: Failed “Change” and Why Black People (and others) Defend It”
“Social Facts and Individual Choice in “Post Racial America”: The Ex-Colored Men Live!”
RESEARCH PAPER PRESENTATIONS
Jones, R. (2009). “Obamamania and Black America’s Progressive Agenda.” Plenary presentation at the annual meeting of the National Council for Black Studies, Atlanta, Georgia.
_______(2005). “The Erosion of the Black Public Sphere: Identity and Morality in Modern Media.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Council for Black Studies, New Orleans, Louisiana.
_______(2003). “Martin Luther King, Jr.: Oppressor of the People,” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Conference on Afro-American Studies, Charleston, South Carolina.
_______.(2001). “Death Before Dishonor: De-Politicalization and the Failure of Black Greek Fraternal Leadership to Address It’s Internal Threat to Black Life,” Paper presented at the 1st Annual Virginia Tech University Black Studies Symposium on Black Leadership, Roanoke, Virginia.
________.(2000). “The Liberatory Education of the Talented Tenth: Critical Consciousness and the Continuing Black Humanization Project.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Council for Black Studies, Atlanta, Georgia.
_______. (2000). “Between the Pulpit and the Polls: the Black Church’s Impact on Black Political Decision-making,” Paper presented at the annual National Conference on the Black Family, Louisville, Kentucky.
________.(1998). “Tenure, Teaching, and the Talented Tenth at the Modern Research University.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Conference on Afro-American Studies, New Orleans, Louisiana.
________.(1997). “Violence and the Politics of Black Male Identity in Post Modern America.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Conference on Afro-American Studies, Atlanta, Georgia.
________.(1995). “Madmen: God, Man, White Rhetoric, and Black Violence.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Pan-Hellenic Council, Atlanta, Georgia.
________.(1994). "Through Black Eyes: Examining the Afrocentric Perspective on Black and White Race Relations." Paper presented at the 6th Annual Morehouse Research Institute Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.
________. (1994). "As Above, So Below: Theories on Cosmology and the Problem of Community." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Black Graduate Students' Association, Starkville, Mississippi.
________. (1993). "Move: Jazz and African American Identity." Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Kentucky Political Science Association, Morehead, Kentucky.
INVITED UNIVERSITY LECTURES
Ohio University, Athens, OH, 2011 Xavier University (OH), Cincinnati, OH, 2010 Tufts University, Boston, MA 2010
Fisk University, Nashville, TN, 2010University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2010Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY, 2009Capital University, Columbus, OH, 2009Connecticut College, New London, CT, 2009Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY, 2009Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 2008University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 2008Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, 2007 North Carolina State A&T University, 2007
Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 2006Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 2006 Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, 2006
Berea College, Berea, KY, 2005San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 2005San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, 2005University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2005University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 2005 Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, 2005
Berea College, Berea, KY, 2004University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 2004Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 2004Fisk University, Nashville, TN, 2004Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, 2004MEDIA APPEARANCES, ORGANIZATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, SPEECHES, AND MEMBERSHIPS
Plenary Speaker, Officer Essentials Training (Hazing), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Cary, NC, 2011
Featured Guest, "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel", Hazing in Black College Bands, HBO, 2010
Social and Political Commentator, Louisville Live This Morning (The CW), 2008 - 2010
Featured Guest, Louisville Live with Candyce Clift (PBS/KET), 2010
Speaker, Graduate Student Visitation Day, University of Louisville, 2008, 2009, 2010
Speaker, National Council of Negro Women, Martin Luther King Day Celebration, 2010
Al Jazeera in English, Obama and Black America, 2009
NPR, State of Affairs, The Obama Presidency, 2009
Al Jazeera in English, 100th Anniversary of the NAACP, 2009
Panelist, Diversity in America, Young Professionals of Louisville, 2009
Panelist, Race and Politics in America, Society of Professional Journalists, 2009
Speaker, The Obama Campaign, Center for Health Equity, Louisville, KY, 2008
Al Jazeera in English, 2008 Presidential Election, 2008
Speaker, Democrat Club of America, Louisville, KY, 2008
Featured Book Fair Author, Association for the Study of African Life and History, Birmingham, AL, 2008
Speaker, What’s Wrong with Obamamania, University of Louisville, McConnell Center, 2008
Speaker, ACLU Youth Conference, Lexington, KY, 2008
Featured in True Hollywood Stories Investigates: Hazing, E! Network, 2007
NPR, 89.3, State of Affairs – Racial Identity, October, 2006
Speaker, Society of Porter Scholars, University of Louisville, 2005
Panelist, Modern Day Slavery: The Plight of Immokalee Workers, University of Louisville, 2005
Keynote Speaker, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Healthy Lifestyles Conference, 2005
Speaker, Community Political Forum sponsored by the Kentucky Alliance, 2005
Panelist, Black Faculty and Staff Relations, University of Louisville Debate Society, 2005
Keynote Speaker, 4th Avenue Methodist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, 2005
College Representative, Center for Academic Transformation Workshop, Chicago, Illinois, 2005
Speaker, Youth Build of Louisville, 2005
Speaker, Father’s Day Celebration, Oak & Acorn Senior Citizens’ Home, 2005
Speaker, Kentucky Governor’s Scholars’ Program, Bellarmine University, 2004 and 2005
Guest, The Jerry Stevenson Show, WLOU-AM, 2005
Facilitator, Exploring the Black Experience Community Class, Louisville, Kentucky, Sep.-Dec., 2005
Panelist, National of Islam Millions More Movement Community Forum, Louisville, Kentucky, 2005
Panelist, The Legacy of Emmitt Till, University of Louisville’s Theater Arts Department, 2005
Moderator, The Off to War Project, presented by the Discovery Times Channel, 2005
Speaker, Downtown Chapter of Network, 2005
Master of Ceremonies, Live recording of the Fire This Time DVD and CD featuring Aletha Fields, 2005
Speaker, Forum on the State of Black Health in Kentucky, Louisville Health Department, 2005
Panelist, Voting Rights in the 21st Century, Kentucky Human Rights Commission, 2005
Panelist, Forum on Youth Political Participation, sponsored by B-96 FM
Speaker, Louisville Coalition of Neighborhoods, 2005
Speaker, National Hazing Symposium, sponsored by Campus Speak, Atlanta, Georgia, 2005
Panelist, Hurricane Katrina Symposium, Bellarmine University, 2005
Moderator, Election 2004, Panel including candidates for U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and KY State Senate, 2004
Kentucky Tonight Television Program, Gay Marriage, 2004
Board of Directors, American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, 2004 - 2009
Board of Directors, Louisville Fair Housing Council, 2004 - 2008
Member, Louisville Metro Police Department Community Engagement Work Group, 2004 - 2005
Guest, Frank Ski Morning Show, V-103, Atlanta, Georgia, 2004
Guest, 11-Alive Morning News, Atlanta, Georgia, 2004
Speaker, First Unitarian Church, 2004
Speaker, Archdiocese of Louisville Office of Multi-cultural Ministry, 2004
Speaker, Ambassadors for Humanity, 2004
National Satellite Radio, December 2003
Moderator, Dennis Kucinich Visit, Louisville, Kentucky, 2003
Guest Host, The Yarmuth and Ziegler Show, WAVE-3 TV, 2003
The Betty Baye Show, 2002
The Joe Elliot Show, WHAS Radio, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 (multiple appearances)
The John Ziegler Show, WHAS Radio, 2002, 2003 (multiple appearances)
National Public Radio, Significance of King Holiday, 1997, Al Sharpton’s Visit to Louisville, April 2001, Black Voting, 2002
WLOU Radio, Justice Resource Center Speaks, 20001, 2002, 2003, 2004 (multiple appearances)
“Straight Talk with John Yarmuth,” February 1999, April 2000, November 2002
Panelist, “Black Robes, White Justice,” Blacks in the American Criminal Justice System, West Chestnut Quarterly Book Review, 2001
The Jane Noriss Show, WHAS Radio, Education and Capitalism, 2001
Panelist, Discussion of “A Huey P. Newton Story” (A Spike Lee Film) sponsored by Black Starz Television, 2001
The Bev Smith Radio Show, National Syndication, Black Politics and Leadership, 2001
Speaker, “The Abandonment of the Black Masses by the New Collaborators,” West Chestnut Street Baptist Church, 2000
The Tony Fields Show, B-96 Radio, Louisville, KY 2000
WLOU Radio, Community Connection, 1998, February 1999 concerning Black History Month
FOX 41 News, The Ron Cooper Firing, University of Louisville, 1998
Panelist, “Hate Crimes,” University of Louisville’s Multi Cultural Center’s Coffee Series,1998
FOX 41 News, Black Greek hazing at the University of Louisville, 1997
Courier Journal and WAVE 3 News, Panel on Jackie Robinson and the Significance of the integration of Baseball, 1997
WAVE 3 News, 1996 Presidential Election, 1996
Guest Speaker, Solidarity Class at the Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, 1997 and 1998
Keynote Speaker, Public Relations Society of America, Louisville, Kentucky, 1997
Keynote Speaker, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Founder’s Day, Lexington Kentucky, 1997
Speaker, “The Ebonics Issue and Black Critical Thought” sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Association of Black Students at the University of Louisville, 1997
Speaker, “Issues Impacting Black Male-Female Relationships on the College Campus” sponsored by the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the Society of Porter Scholars at the University of Louisville, 1997
Speaker, “Diversity and Stereotypes” sessions sponsored by University of Louisville’s Student Government Association, 1996
National Social Action Committee Member, South Central Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, 1995-1998
Polemarch (President), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Lexington Alumni Chapter, Lexington, Kentucky, 1995-1996
Vice-Polemarch (Vice-Presiden)t, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Lexington Alumni Chapter, Lexington, Kentucky, 1994-1995, 1997 - 1999
Member, African American Health, Education, and Leadership Program (AA-HELP), 1998-2002.
PROFESSIONAL, UNIVERSITY, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Expert witness or consultant in multiple hazing cases
Service to the University
Departmental
Director, Center on Race and Inequality, 2007-Present
Chair, Pan-African Studies/Fine Arts Search Committee, 2010-Present
Chair, Department of Pan-African Studies Personnel Committee, 2010-Present
Chair, Pan-African Studies/Sociology Search Committee, 2009-2010
Member, Department of Pan-African Studies Personnel Committee, 2008-2010
Chair, Department of Pan-African Studies, 2004 - 2008.
Vice-Chair, Department of Pan-African Studies, 2003-2003
Chair, Department of Pan African Studies Personnel Committee, 2002-2003.
Member, Pan-African Studies/History Faculty Search Committee, 2002-2003.
Member, Department of Pan-African Studies Curriculum Committee, 2000-2001.
Moderator, “The Relevance of Greek Letter Fraternities Today,” sponsored by the Cheikh Anta Diop Society, March, 1999
Moderator, “Black Athletes at a Predominantly White University,” sponsored by the Cheik Anta Diop Society, February, 1999
Moderator, “African and African American Relations,” sponsored by the Cheik Anta Diop Society, October, 1998
Undergraduate Advisor, Department of Pan-African Studies, 1998-2001, 2002- 2003.
Moderator, “Perspectives on the United Nations and International Economic Development,” sponsored by the Cheikh Anta Diop Society, Pan African Studies, and Political Science, September, 1997
Department of Pan African Studies Personnel Committee, 1997-1998
Advisor - Cheikh Anta Diop Society, Department of Pan-African Studies Student Organization, 1996-2003.
College and University
A & S Diversity Monitoring Committee, 2004 - 2005
A & S Dean’s Administrative Intern, 2002 - 2003.
A & S Representative to the School of Education’s Standards and Appeals Committee, 1999-2002.
A&S Diversity Workgroup, 2000-2003.
Advisory Board, Louisville Cardinal Student Newspaper, 2004 – 2006.
Member, President’s and Provost’s Informational Advisory Group, 2002 - 2005.
Member, Commission on Diversity and Equal Opportunity, 2002- 2005
President, Black Faculty & Staff Association, 2002-2003.
Member, School of Education Minority Recruitment Program Advisory Board, 2001- 2004
Speaker, Minority Teacher Recruitment Program Graduation Recognition Ceremony, 2001
Speaker, “Surviving at a Predominantly White Institution,” for the University of Louisville’s Minority Teacher Recruitment Program.
Book Reviewer, Grawemeyer Award, 2000
Faculty Mentor, Division of Transitional Studies, 1998-2001
African American Leadership Conference Planning Committee, 1998-2002.
Panelist, “Race in American Sports: Jackie Robinson’s Legacy,” 1997
Advisor, Association of Black Students of the University of Louisville, 1996 - 2002
Advisor, NAACP of the University of Louisville, 1996- 2002
Service to the Profession
Editorial Board, Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2010 - Present
Board of Directors, National Council on Black Studies, 2006- Present
Editorial Board, Journal of African American Studies, 2006-Present
Book Reviewer, New York University Press, 2005.
Book Reviewer, Greenwood Press, 2005.
Member, National Council on Black Studies, 1999 - Present
Conference Committee, Black Family Conference, University of Louisville, 1997-2000
Member, National Conference of Black Political Scientists, 1998-Present
Member, Southern Conference on Afro-American Studies, 1996 - Present
SCHOLASTIC, PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY HONORS
One of the “25 to Watch” for 2009, Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Who’s Who in Black Louisville, 2007, 2008, 2009
YMCA Adult Achiever, 2006.
Best Minority/Women’s Reporting for the “Message to the People” in Louisville Eccentric Observer. Awarded by the Society of Professional Journalists, 2004 - 2006.
Most Influential Black Leaders Recognition, Louisville Courier Journal, 2004.
Association of Black Students “Guiding Light Award”, 2004.
Most Influential Leaders under 40, Louisville Magazine, 2002.
University of Louisville Trustee’s Award Nominee, 2000.
Eleanor Young Love Award for Distinguished Scholarship, Department of Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville, 1999.
Office of Minority Affairs Faculty Appreciation Award, 1998.
Lexington (KY) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Chapter Polemarch’s Award, 1998.
Golden Key National Honor Society, Honorary Member, 1998.
University of Louisville Distinguished Teaching Nominee, 1997-1998.
National Science Foundation Teaching Fellow, University of Nebraska, 1995.
Order of Omega Fraternal Honor Society, 1995.
Lyman T. Johnson Graduate Fellow, University of Kentucky, 1992 - 1995.
Lexington (KY) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Chapter Achievement Award, 1994.
City of Atlanta Outstanding Youth Summer Camp Instructor, 1994.
Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society, Gamma Lambda Chapter, 1992.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
National Council for Black Studies (NCBS), 1999 - Present.
Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALAH), 2008-Present.
The Black Radical Congress, 1999 - 2002.
Southern Conference on Afro-American Studies, 1997- Present.
African American Health, Education, and Leadership Program, 1997-2000.
National Association of Fraternity Advisors, 1994 - 1996.
National Black Graduate Students Association, 1994 - 1996.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., 1992 - Present.
Black Graduate and Professional Students Association, University of Kentucky, 1992 - 1996.
