My Research Agenda

My research explores the intersections of Media Studies, Critical Cultural Studies, and African American Rhetoric, with a particular focus on Black masculinity, representation, identity, and place in media. I am deeply invested in Black geographies, interrogating how space—both physical and metaphorical—shapes the cultural construction of Black identity across film, television, and digital media.

Background & Research Motivations

My journey into media studies is informed by both personal and professional experiences. As a United States Air Force veteran, I developed a deep appreciation for cinema during my service. My passion for hip-hop and R&B music further shaped my understanding of media as a powerful force in identity formation and cultural expression. In 2012, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, underwent surgery, and successfully beat the illness. These experiences have given me a unique perspective on resilience, identity, and cultural narratives, all of which inform my research into how media constructs and circulates Blackness and masculinity.

Core Research Questions & Theoretical Frameworks

My work is guided by two central research questions:

1️. How does media construct representations of Black masculinity?
2️. How do different forms of media shape Black identity and spatial belonging?

 To answer these questions, I engage with Stuart Hall’s theories of representation, ideology, encoding/decoding, and reception theory, analyzing how media messages are produced, circulated, and interpreted within cultural contexts. I also incorporate rhetorical theories such as identification, terministic screens, and dramatism, examining how language and symbolism shape media representations of race and masculinity. My research is interdisciplinary, integrating media criticism, rhetorical studies, cultural theory, and spatial analysis. This approach allows me to examine media as a site of both ideological dissemination and resistance, revealing the ways in which Black masculinity is contested, negotiated, and reclaimed in various forms of media.

Key Research Projects & Contributions

  • Afroterroir: A Framework for Understanding Black Media Representation – My research conceptualizes Afroterroir, a framework that interrogates the relationship between place, discourse, and relationships in Black media narratives. By applying this lens to film, television, and digital spaces, I investigate how spatial and rhetorical elements construct Black masculinity in media.

  • Luke Cage & The Rhetoric of Black Superheroes – My dissertation examines how Black masculinity is constructed within the superhero genre, with a focus on Luke Cage as a mediated performance of race, power, and geography. This research bridges media studies, rhetorical analysis, and Black geographies to explore how superhero narratives negotiate racial identity, space, and cultural authenticity.

  • Edited Volume on Ethnography, Media, and Culture – As lead editor of an upcoming book, I curate critical perspectives that examine the intersections of media, identity, and lived experience through ethnographic methodologies and cultural critique.

  • CP3: The Documentary – My expertise in sports media narratives, athletic activism, and Black masculinity is featured in the forthcoming documentary on Chris Paul’s legacy and the role of mentorship in shaping Black identity.

  • Benjamin L. Hooks Institute Research & Public Scholarship – Through my work with the Hooks Institute for Social Change, I contribute to research on race, media, and policy, emphasizing how historical and contemporary media narratives shape public discourse on social justice.

Future Research Directions & Long-Term Goals

Looking ahead, I aim to expand my work by:

  • Developing my dissertation into multiple peer-reviewed journal articles deepening my analysis of Black masculinity and media geographies.

  • Investigating the impact of digital media, algorithmic bias, and AI on racial identity, particularly in streaming services, social media platforms, and digital curation.

  • Exploring the spatial politics of Black representation in comic books and comic book films, building on my research on superheroes and identity formation.

  • Curating additional edited volumes that explore the intersections of media, culture, and public discourse, providing a platform for critical Black media scholarship.

  • Bridging academic scholarship with public engagement by continuing to contribute to documentary projects, policy discussions, and media criticism.

Bridging Research, Teaching, and Public Scholarship

My research is not confined to academic discourse—it directly informs my teaching, mentorship, and public engagement. My courses emphasize critical media literacy, African American rhetoric, and the role of cultural production in shaping identity. By integrating theory, practice, and contemporary case studies, I prepare students to critically engage with media as both consumers and creators. Through mentorship initiatives like CP3 and my work with the Hooks Institute, I strive to extend my research beyond the classroom, ensuring that my scholarship on Black media representation translates into meaningful dialogue, activism, and institutional change. Ultimately, my research is driven by a commitment to examining, challenging, and reshaping dominant narratives of Black identity in media. By centering place, discourse, and relationships, I seek to contribute to a broader understanding of how media constructs and circulates Blackness—not as a monolith, but as a complex, contested, and deeply spatialized identity.