Research

I am an interdisciplinary scholar examining the intersection of Hip Hop studies, political philosophy, African Diaspora studies, civic engagement, and sustainability education. My research explores how culture functions as a site of democratic meaning-making, political socialization, and ethical responsibility, with particular attention to how popular culture shapes public consciousness, community resilience, and the political imagination.

Books and Publications
I am the author of A Rhyme Is a Terrible Thing to Waste: Hip Hop in Search of a Political Philosophy (Africa World Press), one of the earliest scholarly frameworks positioning Hip Hop as a coherent political discourse. I have also contributed book chapters and editorial collaborations published with Simon & Schuster / Powerhouse Books, examining Hip Hop’s prophetic voice, cultural memory, and global influence.

My peer-reviewed scholarship appears in venues such as The eJournal of Public Affairs and Learning Communities Journal, advancing research on instructional innovation, student-generated undergraduate research, digital engagement, and sustainability literacy in higher education.

Public Scholarship, Media, and Creative Work
In addition to traditional scholarship, I actively engage in non-juried media and creative productions, including filmed interviews, documentary-style conversations, podcasts, university media features, and public dialogue series addressing Hip Hop at 50, Black media history, sustainability, and cultural politics. These projects extend my research beyond academic audiences, making scholarly insights accessible to educators, community leaders, students, and the general public.

I regularly contribute to public conversations through keynote lectures, media interviews, podcasts, and community forums, translating research into actionable knowledge that supports democratic participation, cultural literacy, and social responsibility.