- Cincinnati, OH
- Education, Art History, Gender Studies, Contemporary Art, Visual Culture, Environmental Studies, and 83 moreFood Safety, Food Justice, Environmental Justice, Enviromental Justice and Spatial Analysis, Business Administration, Business Management, Social Change, Development Studies, Sustainable Development, Leadership, Strategic Management, Development Economics, International Business, Black Studies Or African American Studies, Women and Culture, Black Feminist Theory/Thought, Black Women's Studies, African American Studies, Political Corruption, Spiritual Leadership, Equality and Non Discrimination, Human Rights and Social Justice, Martin Luther King Jr., Environmental Justice, Community Organizing, Women and Gender Studies, Autoethnography, Environmental Ethics, Public Policy, Women's Studies, Social Movements, Environmental Science, Ethics, Environmental Education, Social Justice, Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Racism, Beloved Community, Feminism, Voting Systems, Voter Suppression, Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Race and Racism, Environmental Policy and Governance, Black feminism, Social and Political Theories of Justice & Human Rights, Grassroots Movements, Positivism, Post-Positivism, Right to the City, Social Justice, Environmental Grassroots Movements, Critical Theory, Human Geography, Social Anthropology, Violence, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Political Anthropology, Critical Race Theory, Urban Anthropology, Race and Ethnicity, Urban Studies, Racism, Critical Discourse Analysis, Food and Nutrition, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Judicial Politics, Judicial Reform, Jury Nullification (Law Psychology), Jury Selection (Law Psychology), The role of the judiciary, Judiciary and Democracy, Judiciary, Jury Behavior, African Studies, Corporate Social Responsibility, Democratic Theory, Air Pollution and Health Effects, Social Constructionism, Public Health, Social Constructionism/ Constructivism, Democratic Participation and Struggles, Democratic Participation, Water Pollution, and Environmental Hazards and Disastersedit
- Experienced Researcher with a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies. Specialized experience includes researching, modeli... moreExperienced Researcher with a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies. Specialized experience includes researching, modeling, analyzing, and providing guidance using Operations Research and Data Science techniques for key client projects and accounts. Experience formulating, designing, and developing decision support models, preparing life cycle and cost analysis/cost estimating studies for major projects. Proficiency in data collection, verification, adjustment and weighing of data to establish and apply research methods for evaluation of research projects. Expertise includes SAS programming, accessing, formatting, and manipulating SAS data sets, raw data, and data retrieved from Excel. Experience performing and applying statistical analyses using descriptive statistics, exploratory data analysis, inferential, and predictive modeling. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate at all professional levels with project directors and team members across a variety of research opportunities, as well as provide support for project management.edit
Environmental injustice has been found to have an adverse effect on poor urban and rural communities and is considered a social justice issue. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore environmental injustice in cases where poor... more
Environmental injustice has been found to have an adverse effect on poor urban and rural communities and is considered a social justice issue. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore environmental injustice in cases where poor communities suffer from disproportionate ecological burdens that threaten their livelihood.The following paper highlight the importance of investigating the effects of environmental and food injustice in connection to social disorganization within poor urban communities. Additionally, the paper examine if residents affected by food deserts are more at risk of being exposed to violent diets to see if there is any indication that poor diet plays a role in influencing the behavior of those who consume these diets.
Research Interests: Black Studies Or African American Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Social Policy, Social Sciences, Violence, and 10 moreEnvironmental Justice, Black Women's Studies, Food deserts, Food Security and Social Justice, Food Justice, Social Disorganization, Social Disorganization Theory, Degenerative Policy-Making, Public Policy, and Environmental Injustice
This research study examines the Flint water crisis to determine if Flint residents were the target of a degenerative policy. The study employs critical ethnography to explore the development and implementation of environmental water... more
This research study examines the Flint water crisis to determine if Flint residents were the target of a degenerative policy. The study employs critical ethnography to explore the development and implementation of environmental water policy and investigate state-appointed legislator's decision to switch water sources in the city of Flint, Michigan, a predominantly low-income and minority community. In addition to using critical ethnography as a method, the study is interdisciplinary, integrating secondary data from news reports, governmental and nongovernmental documents, and budgets. The residents in Flint, Michigan water source was switched from Lake Huron (Detroit) a source used for more than 50 years to the Flint River. The water switch resulted in lead-contaminated water that poisoned more than 7,900 children and caused a widespread outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.
Case Abstract This case study explores issues of power relative to the intersectionality of race and gender in the judiciary. It illuminates structural and systemic issues, that when viewed through a race and gendered lens presents an... more
Case Abstract
This case study explores issues of power relative to the intersectionality of race and gender in the judiciary. It illuminates structural and systemic issues, that when viewed through a race and gendered lens presents an understanding of the level of resistance, obstacles, and challenges faced by African American women in particular who rise to leadership roles and seek to challenge the status quo. Judge Tracie Hunter is the first African American and the first Democrat to ever become a judge in the juvenile court in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Judge Hunter won her seat after a heated court battle and a series of appeals, spearheaded by Hamilton County Prosecutor, Joe Deters, who represented the Hamilton County Board of Elections, after Hunter sued the Board of Elections for voter suppression. Inevitably, the county was required to count more than 800 votes from majority black precincts, when it was found that poll-workers were responsible for sending voters to the wrong booth, which caused their votes to be disqualified. This case surrounds Hamilton County’s problem of a backlog of cases and background on the witch hunt that Judge Hunter faced in her first 18 months on the bench, and the tremendous injustices that are directed towards the children in the Hamilton County judicial system, which prompted Hunter to run for judge in the first place. Over 80% of the children served in Hamilton County are African American children who have for years been subjected to a school-to-prison pipeline. The case exposes the numerous violations of their civil, constitutional, and human rights; and presents an analysis of the collusion, strategic privatization of the juvenile detention facility, administrative policy changes, and political maneuvers on the part of Republican Party government officials in Hamilton County, to take the power of the judiciary and oversight of the $30,000,000 budget, the second largest budget in Hamilton County, out of the hands of elected Judge Hunter and putting it in the hands of the judge that she defeated in the 2010 elections.
This case study explores issues of power relative to the intersectionality of race and gender in the judiciary. It illuminates structural and systemic issues, that when viewed through a race and gendered lens presents an understanding of the level of resistance, obstacles, and challenges faced by African American women in particular who rise to leadership roles and seek to challenge the status quo. Judge Tracie Hunter is the first African American and the first Democrat to ever become a judge in the juvenile court in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Judge Hunter won her seat after a heated court battle and a series of appeals, spearheaded by Hamilton County Prosecutor, Joe Deters, who represented the Hamilton County Board of Elections, after Hunter sued the Board of Elections for voter suppression. Inevitably, the county was required to count more than 800 votes from majority black precincts, when it was found that poll-workers were responsible for sending voters to the wrong booth, which caused their votes to be disqualified. This case surrounds Hamilton County’s problem of a backlog of cases and background on the witch hunt that Judge Hunter faced in her first 18 months on the bench, and the tremendous injustices that are directed towards the children in the Hamilton County judicial system, which prompted Hunter to run for judge in the first place. Over 80% of the children served in Hamilton County are African American children who have for years been subjected to a school-to-prison pipeline. The case exposes the numerous violations of their civil, constitutional, and human rights; and presents an analysis of the collusion, strategic privatization of the juvenile detention facility, administrative policy changes, and political maneuvers on the part of Republican Party government officials in Hamilton County, to take the power of the judiciary and oversight of the $30,000,000 budget, the second largest budget in Hamilton County, out of the hands of elected Judge Hunter and putting it in the hands of the judge that she defeated in the 2010 elections.
Research Interests:
This case study explores issues of power relative to the intersectionality of race and gender in the judiciary. It illuminates structural and systemic issues, that when viewed through a race and gendered lens presents an understanding of... more
This case study explores issues of power relative to the intersectionality of race and gender in the judiciary. It illuminates structural and systemic issues, that when viewed through a race and gendered lens presents an understanding of the level of resistance, obstacles, and challenges faced by African American women in particular who rise to leadership roles and seek to challenge the status quo. Judge Tracie Hunter is the first African American and the first Democrat to ever become a judge in the juvenile court in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Judge Hunter won her seat after a heated court battle and a series of appeals, spearheaded by Hamilton County Prosecutor, Joe Deters, who represented the Hamilton County Board of Elections, after Hunter sued the Board of Elections for voter suppression. Inevitably, the county was required to count more than 800 votes from majority black precincts, when it was found that poll-workers were responsible for sending voters to the wrong booth, which caused their votes to be disqualified. This case surrounds Hamilton County’s problem of a backlog of cases and background on the witch hunt that Judge Hunter faced in her first 18 months on the bench, and the tremendous injustices that are directed towards the children in the Hamilton County judicial system, which prompted Hunter to run for judge in the first place. Over 80% of the children served in Hamilton County are African American children who have for years been subjected to a school-to-prison pipeline. The case exposes the numerous violations of their civil, constitutional, and human rights; and presents an analysis of the collusion, strategic privatization of the juvenile detention facility, administrative policy changes, and political maneuvers on the part of Republican Party government officials in Hamilton County, to take the power of the judiciary and oversight of the $30,000,000 budget, the second largest budget in Hamilton County, out of the hands of elected Judge Hunter and putting it in the hands of the judge that she defeated in the 2010 elections.
Research Interests:
The aim of this paper critically examines degenerative policy that allow hazardous facilities to occupy minority and low-income communities suffering from a disproportionate amount of environmental injustices. Research suggest minority... more
The aim of this paper critically examines degenerative policy that allow hazardous facilities to occupy minority and low-income communities suffering from a disproportionate amount of environmental injustices. Research suggest minority and low-income communities face a larger burden of toxic pollutants when it comes to the placement of hazardous waste facilities. This paper reveals how the health of community members are impacted by hazardous waste facilities. Additionally, environmental hazards in underprivileged communities are a result of hazardous waste facilities centered in the locale of low-income neighborhoods resulting in various pollutants. These hazardous facilities disportionately harm low income, minority communities and remains unresolved even after numerous complaints are filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Hiar, 2011). It is ideal that social justice reflects the differences that constitute a democratic model that represents equality and equal participation for all citizens. However, a closer examination of environmental policy reveals “solid evidence of discrimination” (Cutter, 1995) in the form of environmental injustices constructed on class, race, and geographic locations. All of the classifications mentioned above demonstrate differences that exclude certain voices from benefiting in a participatory democracy.
Research Interests: Black Studies Or African American Studies, African Studies, Political Philosophy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Democratic Theory, and 22 moreRace and Racism, Indian studies, Race and Ethnicity, Deliberative Democracy, Racism, Air Pollution and Health Effects, Social Constructionism, Black feminism, African American Studies, Public Health, Social Constructionism/ Constructivism, Environmental Justice, Environmental Sustainability, Democratic Participation and Struggles, Democratic Participation, Indian Politics, Water Pollution, Environmental Racism, Latinoamerica, Environmental Hazards and Disasters, Keystone XL Pipeline, and Public Policy
The questions examined in this paper are what dynamics contribute to social disorganization in poor communities and how do mechanisms involving social disorganization lead to lower life expectancy among poor African-American populations.... more
The questions examined in this paper are what dynamics contribute to social disorganization in poor communities and how do mechanisms involving social disorganization lead to lower life expectancy among poor African-American populations. Jensen (2003) suggest, social disorganization is the deterioration of communal structures which include “family, school, church, and local government.” Furthermore, the focus of social disorganization in this paper focuses on poverty-stricken communities affected by social disorganization. Social disorganization theory contends there are several structural influences that lead to social disorganization in destitute populations; structural influences include low economic status, ethnic heterogeneity, and residential mobility (Sampson & Grove, 1989) for marginalized citizens. Additionally, Sampson & Grove research suggest communities of color who experience social disorganization may experience a decline in their physical and mental health causing violent atmospheres.
Research Interests: Critical Theory, Human Geography, Black Studies Or African American Studies, Political Philosophy, Social Anthropology, and 23 moreViolence, Political Anthropology, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Urban Anthropology, Critical Race Theory, Race and Ethnicity, Urban Studies, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Food and Nutrition, Critical Discourse Analysis, Racism, African American Studies, Urban Sociology, Environmental Justice, Environmental Sustainability, Urban Crime, Cultural Anthropology, Genetically Modified Crops, Food Security and Social Justice, Food Justice, Social Disorganization, GMO Food and Effects on Human Health, and Public Policy
This paper highlights the methodology most policy analysts use when examining real world problems, a conventional positivist approach. Policy analysts using a positivist approach “believe the world is a fixed entity whose mysteries are... more
This paper highlights the methodology most policy analysts use when examining real world problems, a conventional positivist approach. Policy analysts using a positivist approach “believe the world is a fixed entity whose mysteries are not beyond human comprehension” (O’Leary, 2007, loc. 1886). They believe that the social object can be studied scientifically. However, post-positivist social theorists criticize the positivist approach and “see the world as highly variable and ambiguous, and understand that knowing involves recognition of things like intuition, subjectivity, power, and worldview” (O’Leary, 2007, loc. 1890). Post-positivist proponents also reject the central tenets of positivism and believe that empirical methods used in social science is limited and inept of propagating “authentic accounts of a world that is constantly constructed through our actions and interaction” (O’Leary, 2007, loc. 1944).
The central theme of this paper is to assess the strengths and weaknesses found in both positivist and post-positivist approach to environmental policy in order to reveal the advantages and shortcomings found in both perspectives. Additionally, an analysis of existing literature on the positivist and post-positivist continuum will help define the problems that are seen in the political struggles of environmental policy. This allows environmental racism to be examined within a framework to analyze and identify the problem definition, which will be discussed in the second section of this policy recommendation.
Additionally, the problem definition will outline how the problem with environmental racism is defined, what is missing in environmental policy, and finally a recommendation for a course of action that build on the scholarly work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other social justice advocates.
The central theme of this paper is to assess the strengths and weaknesses found in both positivist and post-positivist approach to environmental policy in order to reveal the advantages and shortcomings found in both perspectives. Additionally, an analysis of existing literature on the positivist and post-positivist continuum will help define the problems that are seen in the political struggles of environmental policy. This allows environmental racism to be examined within a framework to analyze and identify the problem definition, which will be discussed in the second section of this policy recommendation.
Additionally, the problem definition will outline how the problem with environmental racism is defined, what is missing in environmental policy, and finally a recommendation for a course of action that build on the scholarly work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other social justice advocates.
Research Interests: Social Change, Black Studies Or African American Studies, Environmental Science, Philosophy, Political Philosophy, and 18 moreEnvironmental Education, Race and Racism, Environmental Studies, Social Justice, Environmental Policy and Governance, Black feminism, Environmental Justice, Environmental Sustainability, Black Feminist Theory/Thought, Social and Political Theories of Justice & Human Rights, Grassroots Movements, Environmental Racism, Dissertations, Positivism, Post-Positivism, PhD candidate, Right to the City, Social Justice, Environmental Grassroots Movements, and Public Policy
This paper will chronicle low-income communities involvement, with environmental justice movements to see if there is a connection between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beloved Community” and grass-root environmental justice movements.... more
This paper will chronicle low-income communities involvement, with environmental justice movements to see if there is a connection between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beloved Community” and grass-root environmental justice movements. Three environmental justice matters will be examined in this paper to identify the following:
1. What a successful environmental grass roots movement look like.
2. How one community missed the opportunity to form an environmental grass roots movement.
3. How an environmental grass roots movement is emulating King’s vision of “The Beloved Community.”
These three narratives will explore whether or not Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the “Beloved Community” can transform communities into effective decision-making populations and act as a model to reverse environmental degradation.
1. What a successful environmental grass roots movement look like.
2. How one community missed the opportunity to form an environmental grass roots movement.
3. How an environmental grass roots movement is emulating King’s vision of “The Beloved Community.”
These three narratives will explore whether or not Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the “Beloved Community” can transform communities into effective decision-making populations and act as a model to reverse environmental degradation.
Research Interests: Social Movements, Environmental Science, Ethics, Environmental Education, Community Organizing, and 9 moreSocial Justice, Environmental Ethics, Environmental Justice, Environmental Sustainability, Martin Luther King Jr., Environmental Racism, Equality and Non Discrimination, Human Rights and Social Justice, and Beloved Community
This case study explores issues of power relative to the intersectionality of race and gender in the judiciary. It illuminates structural and systemic issues, that when viewed through a race and gendered lens presents an understanding of... more
This case study explores issues of power relative to the intersectionality of race and gender in the judiciary. It illuminates structural and systemic issues, that when viewed through a race and gendered lens presents an understanding of the level of resistance, obstacles, and challenges faced by African American women in particular who rise to leadership roles and seek to challenge the status quo. Judge Tracie Hunter is the first African American and the first Democrat to ever become a judge in the juvenile court in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Judge Hunter won her seat after a heated court battle and a series of appeals, spearheaded by Hamilton County Prosecutor, Joe Deters, who represented the Hamilton County Board of Elections, after Hunter sued the Board of Elections for voter suppression. Inevitably, the county was required to count more than 800 votes from majority black precincts, when it was found that poll-workers were responsible for sending voters to the wrong booth, which caused their votes to be disqualified. This case surrounds Hamilton County’s problem of a backlog of cases and background on the witch hunt that Judge Hunter faced in her first 18 months on the bench, and the tremendous injustices that are directed towards the children in the Hamilton County judicial system, which prompted Hunter to run for judge in the first place. Over 80% of the children served in Hamilton County are African American children who have for years been subjected to a school-to-prison pipeline. The case exposes the numerous violations of their civil, constitutional, and human rights; and presents an analysis of the collusion, strategic privatization of the juvenile detention facility, administrative policy changes, and political maneuvers on the part of Republican Party government officials in Hamilton County, to take the power of the judiciary and oversight of the $30,000,000 budget, the second largest budget in Hamilton County, out of the hands of elected Judge Hunter and putting it in the hands of the judge that she defeated in the 2010 elections.