Leadership History

Since its founding in 1986, the Frederick Douglass Institute for African and African American Studies and the Department of Black Studies have been shaped by a distinguished tradition of faculty leadership. Directors, chairs, associate directors, curriculum leaders, fellowship directors, and affiliated faculty have helped cultivate the intellectual vision, public mission, and institutional foundations that continue to define Black studies at the University of Rochester today.

Across nearly four decades, these leaders expanded opportunities for teaching, research, public scholarship, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration while strengthening the University's commitment to the study of Black life, culture, politics, health, and expressive practices throughout the African diaspora. Their collective efforts established the foundation upon which the Frederick Douglass Institute and Department of Black Studies continues to build.

Directors and Chairs

Directors and chairs since the insitute’s founding:

  • Karen Fields, Director (1986-1992)
  • Joseph E. Inikori, Director (1992-2001)
  • Larry Hudson, Director (2001-2005)
  • Fredrick Harris, Director (2005-2007)
  • Jeffrey Tucker, Director (2007-2010)
  • Victoria Wolcott, Interim Director (2010-2011)
  • Cilas Kemedjio, Director (2011-2020)
  • Kristin Doughty, Interim Director (2020-2021)
  • Jeffrey Q. McCune, Jr., Director * (2021-2023)
  • John Michael, Transitional Chair (2023-2024)
  • Jeffrey Q. McCune, Jr., Founding Chair, Department of Black Studies (2024-present)

*Final director of the Frederick Douglass Institute.

Additional Leadership Contributions

The success of the Frederick Douglass Institute was also made possible through the service of faculty who provided leadership in curriculum development, undergraduate affairs, visiting scholars programs, research fellowships, and other areas essential to the institute's mission.

Selected leadership appointments include:

  • Karen Fields, Institute Associate (1995–1999)
  • John Michael, Curriculum Director (2000–2005)
  • Elias Mandala, Research Fellowships Director (2001–2003)
  • Cilas Kemedjio, Undergraduate Affairs Director (2001–2003)
  • Fredrick Harris, Visiting Speakers Director (2001–2003)
  • Cilas Kemedjio, Curriculum Director (2005–2011)
  • Jeffrey Tucker, Director of Undergraduate Studies (2022-2024)
  • Matthew Omelsky, Director of Undergraduate Studies (2024-present)

A Legacy of Leadership

The history of Black studies at Rochester reflects the work of many individuals whose scholarship, vision, and service helped shape the institute and department across generations. Together, these leaders cultivated an intellectual community that has advanced innovative scholarship, supported emerging scholars, strengthened ties to the Rochester community, and expanded the University's engagement with the study of Black life and the African diaspora.

Their collective contributions continue to inform the mission of the Frederick Douglass Institute and Department of Black Studies as it enters its next chapter of growth and impact.