The theme of International Women’s Day 2021 is “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.” At Duke, women innovators have worked tirelessly this past year to battle COVID-19—as well as to help ensure that other important innovations, particularly in the areas of health and the environment, continue gathering momentum in the pandemic’s fallout. Dr. Samira Musah and Dr. Kanecia Zimmerman were among those honored for their work in COVID-19 research and relief. View the full list here. read more about Spotlighting Innovative Duke Women for #InternationalWomensDay 2021 »
Marissa Young, Head Coach of Duke Softball, and Zoila Airall, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs for Campus Life, join other Duke women in leadership to share who inspires them and why. Read more about their reflections for Women's History Month here. read more about Women's History Month: Reflections from Duke Women »
In an Op-Ed released with colleagues in CNBC, Dr. Darity details how we are taught that it is simply a matter of common sense to think of the federal budget the way we would a household’s, but this deeply misleading, revenue-constrained frame cripples our ability to attend to public priorities, and disproportionately harms the Black community. Read the full article here. read more about Dr. Darity releases Op-Ed in CNBC: Dog whistles, deficits and the racist politics behind ‘pay as you go’ rules in Congress »
The new six-part series, “The Arc of Justice,” is a special production of the Sanford School of Public Policy’s “Ways & Means” podcast that premiered March 3. It is done in collaboration with Duke economist Dr. William Darity and folklorist and arts consultant Kirsten Mullen and takes inspiration from their new book “From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the 21st Century,” co-authored by Duke economist William “Sandy” Darity, Jr. and folklorist and arts consultant… read more about 'Arc of Justice' launches new 6-part series on Inequality with Dr. William Darity »
Tracing the stories of the first Black workers at Duke is difficult because their biographies are poorly documented. However, their histories will be a focus of new academic research funded by the Duke Endowment in 2021. Read more about their stories here. read more about Working Toward Racial Justice: Tracing stories of Duke's first Black Workers »
Dr. Joseph Winters, Alexander F. Hehmeyer associate professor of religious studies and African and African American studies, is the author of “Hope Draped in Black: Race, Melancholy, and the Agony of Progress”. In the book, Winters explores the Black literary and aesthetic tradition of exploring loss and anguish to challenge beliefs of America’s sustained racial progress. The Chronicle spoke to Winters about problematic conceptions of American history, the value of remembrance and how prominent Black writers… read more about Q&A: Prof. Joseph Winters discusses balance between hope and melancholy in Black literature »
In this op-ed, Dr. Luke Powery discusses the legacy of Thurman as he encourages us to revere others and never forget those who have revered you and how their reverence for you changed you or gave you some hope to carry on in the weary world, especially in these times of great loss and death all around due to a pandemic or just due to the normal course of life. Read more here. read more about Dr. Powery pushes for us to 'revere one another' in our daily lives »
Deondra Rose, assistant professor of public policy, political science, and history, will become the new director of Polis: Center for Politics in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University as of July 1, Dean Judith Kelley announced today. Established at Sanford in 2015, Polis prepares future political leaders and fosters innovative scholarship related to the pressing political issues of our time. Read more about it here. read more about Congratulations to Deondra Rose the new director of Polis: Center for Politics! »
Dr. Mark Anthony Neal is quoted in The Undefeated magazine about the power and legacy of the song 'I'm Every Woman' and how Tinashe’s cover of ‘I’m Every Woman’ brings the R&B anthem to a new generation. Read more here. read more about Dr. Mark Anthony Neal quoted in The Undefeated on the anthem 'I'm Every Woman' »
H. Timothy Lovelace, Jr., a noted legal historian of the civil rights movement, joined the Duke Law faculty in June 2020. Dr. Lovelace’s work examines how the civil rights movement in the United States helped to shape international human rights law. He has had a prolific and engaging career. In 2015, he received the Indiana University Trustees’ Teaching Award. During the 2015-2016 academic year, he served as a Law and Public Affairs Fellow at Princeton University. His scholarship has also received support from the William… read more about BTT Faculty Features Series: Meet H. Timothy Lovelace »
Duke professors weighed in on the challenges facing the Biden administration, from racial justice to stimulus packages and foreign policy. The “Policy, Politics, and Promises: Biden’s First Month” panel was the first of the Duke Alumni Forever Learning Institute’s new series titled “America Today” which highlights current headline issues in the country. It was moderated by Paula McClain, dean of the Graduate School, and included David Schanzer, professor of the practice in the Sanford School of Public Policy,… read more about From racial justice to foreign policy, professors break down challenges facing Biden »
Duke professor William A. "Sandy" Darity Jr. testified before a U.S. House subcommittee on Wednesday. Darity shared his expertise regarding the differences in asset ownership between Black and White Americans; find more information here. read more about Darity Testified Before U.S. House »
For James Carter, Sr. Serving the Underserved Was a Calling. Decades later, in 1983, Carter became the first Black full professor of psychiatry in the Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, but his achievements and legacy stretch far beyond the Duke campus and health system. Read more about his story, including words from his son at Duke, here. read more about First Black full professor of psychiatry at Duke: James Carter, Sr. »
Dr. J. Lorand Matory, professor of cultural anthropology at Duke University, discusses the Afro-Latino diaspora and its legacy to Latino Botánicas in NBC New York. Read more here. read more about The African History Behind Latino Botánicas: Dr. J. Lorand Matory discusses in NBC New York »
Dr. Richard J. Powell knows every artist, critic and art world star featured in the new HBO documentary “Black Art: In the Absence of Light.” Recently, Nasher Museum Director Trevor Schoonmaker met with Powell to talk about how “In the Absence of Light” could be a jumping-off point for more amazing stories about Black art. Read more here. read more about Richard Powell on Where Black Art Goes From Here »
Duke Divinity School Professor David Goatley recommends listening to a sermon preached at Duke Chapel in 1996 by the Rev. Dr. Charles Adams, a Baptist minister and the William and Lucille Nickerson Professor of the Practice of Ethics and Ministry at Harvard Divinity School. Titled The Humanity of God, the sermon is based on Jesus’s parable of the sheep and goats in which Jesus says, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Read more on the recommendation… read more about Dr. Goatley's recommended Sermon from Archives Points to Holiness and Humanity »
The Duke Women's Health Community Engagement Task Force was created to help engage Duke faculty and staff in the ongoing efforts to improve the health of our local community. This group is led by Dr. Lola Fayanju, a breast surgeon at Duke, who hopes to improve the care for her patients and our community through our work. Click here to learn more and view their latest webinar: "Medical (Mis)trust and (Mis)information: What you need to know about research and vaccines to make healthy decisions… read more about Duke Women's Health Community Engagement Task Force led by Dr. Lola Fayanju »
Duke Learning Innovation invites submissions by February 28, 2021 for the 2021 Pandemic Pedagogy Research Symposium to be held online on Wednesday, May 5. The Symposium is designed for interactive presentations and panel discussions on new and emerging research related to teaching and learning during the pandemic with a focus on applied scholarship that advances the art and science of teaching. For more information visit here. read more about Call for Submissions: 2021 Pandemic Pedagogy Research Symposium »
On February 21st, PBS station Public Broadcasting Atlanta aired “Voice of Freedom,” a documentary about the great singer Marian Anderson. The film is offered in honor of Black History Month as part of the PBS series “American Experience.” “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes was joined by two scholars who are featured in the documentary, professors Alisha Lola Jones and Adriane Lentz-Smith. Read the interview with Dr. Lentz-Smith here. read more about In the News: Adriane Lentz-Smith shares her expertise in PBS documentary on Marian Anderson »
If reparations for the descendants of slaves had been made before the pandemic, transmissions of the virus could have been significantly reduced not only for Black Americans, but across racial groups, suggests a new study co-authored by William A. Darity, Jr. “We demonstrate that had a program of reparations for black American descendants of US slavery been enacted prior to the pandemic—had the nation already closed the racial wealth gap—infection rates and mortality would have been dramatically lower not only for… read more about New Study: Reparations Could Have Reduced U.S. COVID-19 Transmission and Deaths »
Jarvis McInnis is the Cordelia & William Laverack Family Assistant Professor of English at Duke. In this edited and condensed interview, he describes looking at home through a different lens, why his research on the plantationocene began with Zora Neale Hurston, and the paradox of Black educational institutions existing on former plantations. He asks, what does it mean to breathe life back into this land? Read more here. read more about Meet Your Humanities Faculty: Jarvis McInnis »
Reparations, a long-contested topic, has recently resurged in public discourse as our nation grapples with the ongoing legacies of white supremacy and systemic racism. More scholars and activists are making the case for monetary reparations for slavery, Jim Crow, and other discriminatory legal structures that prevented Black Americans from building generational wealth. Watch the discussion between authors of From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century (UNC Press… read more about New Left of Black Episode discusses reparations and more with Dr. William Darity and A. Kirsten Mullen »
The Franklin Humanities Institute’s Faculty Book Manuscript Workshop Program provides support for the development and completion of scholarly monographs. It provides a structure for generating constructive, informed criticism on near-final book manuscripts, at a moment in the writing process when authors can most effectively utilize feedback. All regular rank faculty in the humanities, arts, and interpretive social sciences, regardless of seniority, are eligible to apply, but Assistant Professors will receive priority… read more about Call for Proposals: Faculty Book Manuscript Workshops »
Dr. William Darity discussed the case for pure reparations with Erika Alexander and Whitney Dow on The Big Payback Podcast. Listen here. read more about Dr. William Darity is featured on The Big Payback Podcast »
Dr. Kevin Saunders is the Director of Research & Pres. of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee. He shares his experiences in STEM and how DHVI creates a culture that promotes inclusivity & understanding for all members. Read more here. read more about Black History Month Faculty Spotlight: Meet Dr. Kevin Saunders, the Director of Research & Pres. of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee »
With rates of liver disease increasing among adolescents and young adults, hepatologists are thinking more carefully about screening and treating women of childbearing age, according to a Duke hepatologist and liver transplant specialist. Dr. Carla W. Brady, MD, MHS, specializes in helping women with liver disease-related issues, especially those who are pregnant or seeking to become pregnant and have chronic liver disease. Read more about her specific recommendations and insights here. read more about Dr. Carla Brady shares insights into Considerations for Managing Liver Disease in Pregnancy »
Murder exoneree Ray Finch continues to await Cooper's pardon after 19 months. Jim Coleman, Duke law professor and Co-Director of the Wrongful Convictions Clinic shares, "It’s like leaving them in prison after they’ve been declared innocent. The state does nothing for a person who has been wrongfully convicted unless they get a pardon of innocence from the governor. He’s the gatekeeper.” Read more here. read more about Co-Director of the Wrongful Convictions Lab Jim Coleman comments on ongoing case »
Richard J. Powell literally wrote the book on Black art history—specifically Black Art: A Cultural History, from Thames & Hudson’s World of Art series. That groundbreaking volume has served as an introduction for several generations of students. As a historian specializing in African-American art history, the Chicago-born scholar’s expertise lies in his astute understanding of the history of Black cultural life in America. Read more from his feature in ArtNet here. read more about Decades Ago, Richard J. Powell Was Among Only a Handful of Scholars Dedicated to Black Art History. Here’s How He Has Seen the Field Change »
Watch Dr. Kerry Haynie (Duke University) discuss Gender, Intersectionality and Racism in American Institutions as one of the editors for the Routledge Book Series on Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in Politics and Policy. This was a part of the Symposium and Teaching and Learning the Politics of Racial Justice and co-hosted by JMU Department of Political Science and African, African American and Diaspora Studies Center. View the full video here. read more about Dr. Kerry Haynie discusses Gender, Intersectionality and Racism in American Institutions »
Duke Undergraduate student Drew Greene discusses what drew him to the new Inequality Studies minor launched this semester. The new minor is a collaboration between the Department of History and the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity. Directed by Hollowell, the minor was also shaped by Malachi Hacohen, professor and director of undergraduate studies in History, and William A. Darity Jr., Samuel DuBois Cook Professor of Public Policy, African & African American Studiesand… read more about A New Minor Prepares Students to Take on an Unequal World - in Any Field »