Service & Community Engagement

Service is not a side note to my academic life; it is at the heart of how I teach, research, and relate to the world. I view service as both a professional responsibility and a deeply personal commitment to building inclusive, intellectually vibrant, and socially just communities—within and beyond the university.

Academic & Institutional Service

One of my most meaningful contributions has been leading a cross-departmental working group that revitalized and re-launched the African Studies Certificate Program at Portland State University. This initiative has expanded access to interdisciplinary coursework on Africa and opened new pathways for students seeking global, historically grounded perspectives.

I also serve the broader academic community in multiple capacities, including:

• Editorial board member and peer reviewer for scholarly journals

• Doctoral dissertation examiner and graduate mentor

• Guest speaker, conference presenter, and panel convener

• Program committee member for regional and national conferences

These roles allow me to support emerging scholarship, shape inclusive academic spaces, and amplify underrepresented voices in African and Black Studies.

Community-Based Engagement

My research and teaching are deeply rooted in supporting marginalized communities and engaging in reciprocal, community-led partnerships. I extend this commitment through grassroots outreach and local activism, including:

• Teaching African history to children of African immigrants at IRCO Africa House

• Mentoring immigrant youth, helping them navigate academic and cultural challenges

• Co-organizing the "Rethinking Democracy: Africa Day Lecture Series" at Portland State University, a space for global dialogue on governance, history, and African futures

• Serving as Board Member & Secretary for Imagine Black, a Portland-based nonprofit focused on advancing Black liberation and political power

A Philosophy of Connection

I strive to embody Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—in all dimensions of my work. Whether in the classroom, in committee rooms, or community centers, I believe that scholarship is most powerful when it listens, uplifts, and collaborates.