My Research Agenda

As a Ph.D. candidate, my research focus encompasses a broad range of interests within the field of media studies. To understand my research interests, it's essential to know a bit about my background. I am a United States Air Force veteran, and during my service career, I developed a deep love for cinema. Additionally, I'm passionate about hip-hop and R&B music. In 2012, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, underwent surgery, and successfully beat the illness. These experiences have profoundly shaped my perspective and academic pursuits.

The central research questions that drive my work are: How does media construct representations of Black masculinity? How do different forms of media shape Black identity? My research delves into the intersections of Blackness, masculinity, representation, identity, and place, focusing on their portrayal and construction in various media forms. I am particularly interested in how media narratives influence societal perceptions and individual self-conceptions of Black identity.

To explore these questions, I draw upon a wide range of theories from cultural scholar Stuart Hall, including representation, ideology, reception theory, encoding, and decoding. These frameworks help me analyze how media messages are produced, circulated, and interpreted within cultural contexts. Additionally, I utilize rhetorical theories such as identification, terministic screens, and dramatism to analyze artifacts and uncover the deeper meanings and implications behind media representations.

My research is interdisciplinary, integrating insights from Media Studies, Critical Cultural Studies, and African American Rhetoric. This approach allows me to examine media not only as a site of cultural production and ideological dissemination but also as a platform for resistance and empowerment. By engaging with both mainstream and alternative media sources, I aim to reveal how societal norms and values are both reflected and shaped by media portrayals of Black masculinity and identity.

Furthermore, my work explores the concepts of place and space in relation to Black geographies. I investigate how physical and metaphorical spaces are constructed and contested in media, and how these spaces influence identity formation, community dynamics, and cultural expression. This spatial analysis is crucial for understanding the broader social and cultural geographies that shape Black experiences.

My current research projects include an investigation into the portrayal of Black superheroes in contemporary comic books and an analysis of the spatial politics of Black representation in comic book films. Additionally, I am developing a book manuscript that examines the intersection of Blackness, masculinity, and media representation, drawing on case studies from comic books, films, and television.

Ultimately, my research aims to contribute to the fields of Communication Studies, Media Studies, and African American Rhetoric by offering new insights into the representation of Blackness, masculinity, and space. By examining the interplay between media, culture, and identity, I strive to advance our understanding of the role of communication in shaping societal norms and individual experiences.

Thank you for visiting my academic website. I look forward to engaging with fellow scholars, students, and anyone interested in these critical issues.