Advisory Board

Valerie Frazier, Ph.D.

Director 

Valerie Frazier is an Associate Professor of English at the College of Charleston, where she teaches African American, multicultural and American literatures. She has an established history of advocacy for  African American Studies and Ethnic American Studies at this institution. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia and M.P.A. from the College of Charleston and University of South Carolina. Her research centers on contemporary African American, ethnic, and women’s literature.

Charissa Owens, Ph.D.

Chairperson

Director of Diversity Education & Training

Tamara Butler, Ph.D.

Executive Director of the Avery Research Center and Associate Dean of College Libraries

Debbie Counts

Director of South Carolina Recruitment and Access Initiatives

Chris Day, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of African Studies

Julie Eichelberger, Ph.D.

Marybelle Higgins Howe Professor of Southern Literature and an executive board member of the Center for the Study of Slavery 

Jerome Harris

President of the Charleston branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)

Rochelle Johnson

Vice Chair

Director of Multicultural Student Programs and Services

Tina MacDonald

Secretary

Director of International Admissions

Neysa Williams

Community Engagement Director, Air Force Civilian Service and President of the Black Alumni Council