ABOUT

I am a Clinical Associate Professor at Boston University School of Social Work. As a transdisciplinary public scholar, educator, and practitioner I take a critical and imaginative approach to examining the intersections of antiracism, justice, health and culture. I’m particularly interested in the implications of these intersections for teaching and learning. I engage in change work in communities, organizations, the digital realm and academia. I have studied, written and practiced across many disciplines including criminal justice, religion, philosophy, public health, social work, and the performing arts.

My approach and interests have led to scholarly work in theorizing the practice of antiracism. This has included developing a theory of “racism denial”, identifying its types and patterns of communication, and detailing strategies for responding to it. I have also developed the “Copeland test” a tool for determining how antiracist movies and TV shows are. I have designed a transdisciplinary framework for educators to engage in competency-based antiracist education (CARE). I have examined indicators that White Nationalism is succeeding in going mainstream in the United States and that political violence threatens to become an epidemic. In addition, I have theorized health in terms of justice and abolition and identified areas of practice to promote health equity. I have also crafted a framework for helping people to identify master narratives and counter-narratives and use narrative practice for social change.   

As an educator, I have three decades of experience creating powerful learning experiences for adults in diverse contexts. This has included curriculum development, teaching and training in higher education, continuing education and workforce development.