PhD Student in Agricultural leadership and Community Education
African-American Agriculturalist
Virginia Tech
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Research
Projects & Presentations
"Reframing AgriCULTURAL Experiences, Narratives, and Careers for African American Youth: A Study of Community-based Programs Leaders’Motivations and Educational Space"
My thesis work explored the historical implications of African-American and Black communities as it related to the disproportional representation of African Americas and Blacks in the traditional classroom. Furthermore, this thesis research explored the motivations and purposes of African-American and Black lead agricultural education non-profit programming for African American and Black youth.
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“Social cognitive career theory applied to factors shaping black youth perceptions of agriculture and stem careers"
This research poster describes personal inputs and background factors as influences of Black youth perceptions towards pursuing agricultural related careers, supporting the research agenda of “Efficient and Effective Agricultural Programs”. In order to increase Blacks’ representation, programs designed to engage youth must address the historical context influencing black youth attitudes towards agriculture.
YouTube PPT Presentation
PowerPoint Presentation:
"Reframing AgriCULTURAL Experiences, Narratives, and Careers for African American Youth: A Study of Community-based Programs Leaders’Motivations and Educational Space"
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Research Presentations and Conferences
Poster Presentations
"Motivations of African American Community-Based Program Leaders in Developing Educational Spaces for Youth in Agricultural Disciplines"
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2025 Virginia Urban Agriculture Summit (VUAS)
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Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences 2023
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Awarded 3rd Place Presentation, Awarded $200​
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“Social Cognitive Career Theory Applied to Factors Shaping Black Youth Perceptions of Agriculture and STEM Careers"
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Spring 2018 ALCE Graduate Student Council Research Luncheon, Virginia Tech, February 6, 2018
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Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences 2018 National Conference, Greensboro, NC, April 5, 2018
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Virginia Tech’s 2018 Graduate Student Assembly Research Symposium, March 24, 2018
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2018 AAAE National Research Conference- Poster Research Session, May 16, 2018
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Award for the Distinguished Research Poster
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"Building a Model Experiential-Based Agricultural Food Safety Program"
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North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture 2021 National Conference
Conference Paper - Oral Presentations
"Unveiling Roots: A comprehensive review of Afrocentricity and African Philosophy in contemporary African-American Community Development."
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MANRRS 2024 National Conference Graduate Oral Research Division II
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“Reframing AgriCULTURAL Experiences and Narratives for African American Youth: A Study of Community-based Program Leaders’ Perspectives”
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2020 AAAE Research Conference
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American Association for Agricultural Education Proceedings of the Annual National Research Conference May 18 - 21, 2020 | Virtual | Volume 47​
Conference Speaker
2011 11th Annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, San Diego, CA
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Spoke and participated in different workshops on the behalf of the Sustainable Youth Council.
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Shared case studies and projects with conference attendees.
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Presented about Brownfield redevelopment in urban in low-income communities.
