News

Special congratulations to Dr. Kafui Dzirasa (Psychiatry & Behavioral Science), Provost Alec Gallimore (Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science), Dr Kimberly Sherell Johnson (Medicine), Prof. Veronica Root Martinez (Law).  Dr. Kevin O'Neil Saunders (Surgery), Dr. Kevin Lindsey Thomas (Medicine), Dr. Kanecia Obie Zimmerman (… read more about Distinguished Professorship Awarded to faculty Across Varied Disciplines »

Dr. William “Sandy” Darity (Sanford), speaking at the Pulitzer Center's '1619 Project' Education Conference, encouraged educators to think creatively about engaging students by exploring contemporary issues that resonate with them. His "The Black Reparations Project: A Handbook for Racial Justice," was also selected as a finalist for a 2024 PROSE Award from the Association of American Publishers in the Economics category. Read more here and watch the video below: http://youtu.be/VZmfchXcwc4 read more about Dr. William Darity: 2024 Prose Awards Finalist and Speaker at the Pulitzer Center »

In this interview on her new book “Reimagining Liberation: How Black Women Transformed Citizenship in the French Empire” Dr. Annette Joseph-Gabriel (Romance Studies), challenges the singular narrative by highlighting the varied approaches to freedom among Black women activists. She called for a reevaluation of France's role in the field and advocated for amplifying the voices of marginalized scholars while acknowledging the challenges posed by the global pandemic to academic research and resources. In a… read more about Dr. Annette Joseph-Gabriel On Black Women, Frenchness and Decolonization »

Dr. Andrea E. Woods Valdés, chair of the Dance Program invited Juel D. Lane for a residency to re-imagine the future of Dance Classes at Duke. Lane showcased innovation and authenticity in his residency, culminating in "Discovering Your Voice: A Dance Class." The class emphasizes individuality, imagination and challenges traditional dance norms while nurturing each dancer's unique expression. Read more read more about The Future of Dance Classes, Dr. Andrea Woods-Valdes invites Juel D. Lane to Duke Dance »

At a recent election briefing for international journalists, Dr. Deondra Rose (Sanford) highlighted the potential for voter exhaustion among young people in the upcoming presidential election, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond the repetitive nature of the race to engage youth in the democratic process. She added that fostering understanding about the significance of participation in democracy is crucial to combatting voter fatigue and ensure meaningful engagement in elections. Read more. read more about Dr. Deondra Rose: Self-governance means very little if people don’t participate in Democracy »

Last month, black student-athletes shared the impact of the United Black Athletes (UBA) in helping them navigate challenges, form friendships, and engage with broader race issues. Founded in 2018, UBA offers a space for Black athletes to connect, share experiences, and advocate for social justice within the University, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. Learn more and figure out ways that faculty can engage with them. read more about Duke's United Black Athletes Foster Community »

In the interview with Faith & Leadership, Dean Luke Powery (Divinity) shared his perspective on preaching during a war or conflict. Dean Powery discusses that a preacher’s main task is not to make a political stand but to preach the gospel by showing how God lives amid human suffering. He further highlights the importance of humanizing the issue by focusing on the impact of war on individuals. Read the full interview here. read more about Dean Luke Powery: A preacher must humanize suffering. »

During the Grammys on Sunday in a speech that drew attention to the lack of recognition Black artists at the award show, Dr. Adriane Lentz-Smith (History) emphasized that the Grammys have repeatedly undermine innovations and contributions that Black artist’s have made to popular music and to its various genres. Read more on USA Today. read more about Dr. Adriane Lentz-Smith: "I don't read Jay-Z as speaking up just for Beyoncé,"  »

In this discourse, Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards (SoM) highlighted the historical impact of medical misconduct on Black communities' distrust in research. She emphasized the need for researchers to acknowledge historical inequities and actively include people of color in all studies. Read more on their insights. read more about Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards discusses Building inclusion into research practices: Improving accessibility  »

In her article to The Guardian, Dr. Tracie Canada (CulAnt) highlights the disingenuous nature of the "football family" narrative used by coaches, emphasizing that it crumbles when coaches quickly leave for better opportunities, often leaving players blindsided. She argued that despite recent changes in athlete rights and the transfer portal, players still lack the same mobility and opportunities as coaches, perpetuating an imbalance in the college sports system. Read more. read more about Dr. Tracie Canada: The myth of the college football family has nothing to do with love »

In this LA Times article, Dr. Mark Anthony Neal (AAAS) discussed the impact of the actor Jonathan Majors' behavior after being charged with assaulting and harassing his former girlfriend, actor Grace Jabbari. The out-of-touch way Major is navigating this situation might hurt him even more casting doubts on his ability to repair his reputation with Hollywood and the Black community.Read more here.   read more about Dr, Mark Anthony Neal: Jonathan Majors’ Public Missteps ‘made a bad situation worse »

Professor Stephen Hayes, (Art) 'Cash Crop,' has been  added  as one of the exhibits at The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum. Using concrete casts, he vividly portrayed the harrowing journey of millions during the Atlantic slave trade. The exhibit delves into the emotional and physical toll of enslavement, sparking crucial conversations about historical and present-day implications. Read more. read more about Professor Stephen Haye’s work added to The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum  »

Drs. Candis Smith (PoliSci) and Norbert Wilson (Sanford, Divinity) will serve as fellows in the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Leaders Network. The ACC is designed to build awareness and effectiveness in the context of academic leadership and to provide opportunities to engage with peers across the ACC and discuss issues and trends in higher education. Read more. read more about Drs. Candis Smith and Norbert Wilson to serve in the 2024 ACC Academic Leadership Network »

Congratulations Dean Luke Powery (Divinity), the recipient of the 2024 Raymand Gavins Distinguished Faculty Award offered by the Samuel DuBois Cook Society. The award celebrates faculty who in their work and life nurtured a sense of community and belonging for Black people and is committed to translate the promise and potential of Black people at Duke into fulfillment and actuality. Read more about the award and the ceremony here. read more about Dean Powery received the 2024 Faculty Award from the Cook Society! »

Special congratulations to Dean. Suzanne Barbour (Cell Biology, SoM), Dr. Vicki Bogan, (Public Policy, Sanford), Provost Alec Gallimore (Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Pratt), Dr. Anthony Kelley, (Music, Trinity A&S), Dean Luke Powery (Homiletics, Divinity), Dr. Candis Watts Smith (Political Science, Trinity A&S). Their achievement is a testament to their scholarly excellence nationally and… read more about Promotion to Full Professor Awarded to Faculty Across Varied Disciplines »

Prof. Johann Montozzi-Wood, (Theater Studies), is developing "Grandfathered In," a devised work exploring personal and universal themes of place and belonging, drawing inspiration from his biracial ancestry and using a non-binary, Afro-Futurist character to navigate a dream-like world, presented as a work-in-progress with live recordings of scenes and songs. Join the performance from February 29 to March 2 at the Shaefer Lab Theater. read more about Embodying Our Ancestors: Johann Montozzi-Wood’s "Grandfathered In" »

The Centennial event celebrated remarkable trailblazers including Dr. Joanne Wilson, a leading advocate for health and climate change; Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook, the first Black faculty member, honored through the Samuel DuBois Cook Society and Center on Social Equity; and Claudius "CB" Claiborne, Duke's inaugural Black basketball player, inspiring resilience and now a distinguished professor at Texas Southern University since 1969. Read more about their works here: read more about Duke 100: Drs. Cook ,Wilson and Claiborne and Their Legacy to Duke University and Beyond »

Claudius "CB" Claiborne, Duke's first Black basketball player in 1965, graduated in 1969, overcoming several challenges in a world that was still segregated. The Duke Basketball team honored him in 2023 with custom jerseys bearing Claiborne’s number 23. With three graduate degrees, he became a professor at Texas Southern University, exemplifying resilience, and success. Read more. A Bass connection project led by Drs. Martin Smith and Javier Wallace will produce a feature-length documentary on Duke men’s basketball history… read more about Dr. Claudius “CB” Claiborne receives Centennial Honor in 2023 »

During the “Race, Genomics and Society” course, Dr. Charmaine Royal (AAS) emphasized that “Science and society have influenced and have been influenced by the creation, reproduction, and maintenance of racial hierarchies". In partnership with Duke art students, they have helped translate the findings of scientific research into music, spoken word, dramatic skits, and dance. Read more about the performances here.  read more about Dr Charmaine Royal: Transdisciplinary Course Creativity  »

Among Sen. Corey Booker and Issa Rae, Time Magazine has recognized Dr. William “Sandy” Darity (Sanford) as one of 18 Black leaders working to end the racial wealth gap for his work on baby bonds. Baby bonds aim to bridge the racial wealth gap by depositing government funds into children's accounts to be accessed later in life, with larger amounts for lower-income families. The program is gaining momentum in several states and has federal legislation backing it. Read more about “The Closers” collection on… read more about Dr. Darity Among Time’s 18 Black Leaders to End Racial Wealth Gap »

In the interview with Faith & Leadership, Dean Luke Powery (Divinity), shared his perspective on preaching during a war or conflict. Dean Powery discusses that a preacher’s main task is not to make a political stand but to preach the gospel by showing how God lives amid human suffering. He further highlights the importance of humanizing the issue by focusing on the impact of war on individuals. Read the full interview here. read more about Dean Luke Powery: A preacher must humanize suffering »

In an interview with Newsweek, Dr. Candis Smith (Poli Sci), discussed that many Black voters have been dissatisfied with the status quo and disappointed that the Democratic Party is not providing real opportunities to express their dismay This has led to diverse sentiments among Black voters in Georgia, with many being hesitant to choose between Biden and Trump, revealing a nuanced and evolving landscape in Black political preferences. Read more. read more about Dr. Candis Smith cautions against treating the Black electorate as a monolith »

Warm congratulations to Dr. William Darity (Sanford), the founding director of Cook Center, on being recognized as one of the inaugural Distinguished Fellows for the Southern Economic Association (SEA). Dr. Darity received this prestigious honor at the SEA's annual meeting in New Orleans in November 2023, in recognition of his substantial scholarly achievements and longstanding contributions to the association. Read more. read more about Dr. William Darity Named Distinguished Fellow by the SEA »

Inspired by childhood influences like the "Transformers" TV show and Dwayne Wayne from "A Different World," Dr. Aaron Kyle (Pratt), reflects on how these experiences shaped his engineering identity and led him to establish the Outreach Design Education program at Duke, emphasizing the importance of fostering STEM identity and diversity in education. Learn more about his journey on DukeMag. read more about Dr. Aaron Kyle: Let’s all help young people form their identity »

As a North Carolina native, Dr. Joanne Wilson (SoM), broke barriers becoming the second Black woman to earn a medical degree from Duke and the first Black woman to receive tenure in the School of Medicine. Now, as the first Black president of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, Dr. Wilson continues her impactful journey, addressing climate change's health impact and passionately advocating for maternal healthcare reform. Read more about her impact here. read more about Dr. Joanne Wilson: Still Blazing Trails »

To mark the centennial celebration, the Duke Endowment has awarded $100 million in part to support the university’s vision for the next 100 years of higher education and to strengthen ties with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The funds will support Duke graduate students from HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions, aligning with Duke's strategic vision for collaboration. This initiative builds on existing efforts, including partnerships with HBCUs like N.C. Central University and the University… read more about Duke Endowment to Strengthen Ties with HBCUs  »