Research
Black History Meaning-Making
I study how Black people, particularly young adults, make meaning of Black history and how that meaning shapes identity, belonging, civic engagement, and understandings of community. Drawing on qualitative inquiry, I examine Black history as a lived resource that informs how people understand themselves and imagine collective futures.
Black Youth Activism
My research examines how Black adolescents and emerging adults develop critical consciousness and engage in activism. I explore the psychological, social, and historical processes that support collective action, resilience, and community engagement.
Publications
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Black Youth Rising (2024)
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Patterns of critical consciousness (2023)
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The Quest for Racial Justice (2023)
Community Research and Evaluation
Beyond academic research, I partner with nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations to design evaluations that translate research into practice. My applied work focuses on youth engagement, mental health, prevention, and community-driven change.
Past Work
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Youth advisory group design and facilitation for community-based participatory research and evaluation at WestEd
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Developed evaluation plan and authored a literature review on Black joy to support strengths-based approaches to Black youth mental health in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health.
