Providence, RI – The Department of Africana Studies / Rites and Reason Theatre and the Annenberg Institute are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Derron O. Wallace, a distinguished sociologist of race, ethnicity, and education, who will be joining our team. Dr. Wallace brings a wealth of expertise and a commitment to understanding and addressing structural and cultural inequalities faced by Black youth globally.

Dr. Wallace comes to Brown from Brandeis University, where he served as the Jacob S. Potofsky Chair in Sociology and an associate professor of sociology and education. He is currently a Frances B. Cashin Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, a testament to his impactful scholarly contributions.

His research focuses on comparative analyses of the experiences of Black youth, both nationally and internationally. Dr. Wallace is the acclaimed author of The Culture Trap: Ethnic Expectations and Unequal Schooling for Black Youth (Oxford University Press, 2023), a seminal work that has garnered multiple prestigious prizes from the American Sociological Association.

Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Wallace has a strong background in community engagement. He is a former community organizer and previously served as a National Director at The Posse Foundation, one of the nation's most comprehensive college access and youth leadership programs. His dedication to social justice extends to his public commentary, with his work on critical issues such as public education, youth safety, immigrant rights, and fair housing being featured by prominent media outlets including BBC News, BBC Radio, the Guardian, ITV, and NBC News.

Africana is thrilled to welcome Dr. Wallace, whose profound scholarship and practical experience will undoubtedly enrich our understanding and engagement with the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, and education. We look forward to the significant contributions he will make to our community and the broader academic discourse.