Meet Dr. Brown

Assistant Professor, AFAM & Sociology

---

Dr. Drew D. Brown is an Assistant Professor in African American and Sociology, specializing in the intersections of Black Culture and Sports.

Dr. Brown’s current book manuscript explores “Baller Culture,” the hip-hop-informed Black cultural expression found in sports. Analyzing sports media from 1988 to 2008, he argues that film, magazines, and commercials became a public arena where young Black Americans negotiated their cultural expression to shape and reshape identities, build community, and gain popularity. The book shows how they deployed a hybrid identity, which was often commodified and misrepresented by the media. Ultimately, the book highlights the constantly evolving nature of Black cultural identity.

Research Interests:

Black Popular Culture

Cultural Representation

Sociology of Sports

Masculinity and Gender Expression

Publications:

Brown, Drew D. (Ed.) Sports in African American Life: Essays on History and Culture, (Jefferson, NC: McFarland), 2020.

Education:

Ph.D. African American Studies, Temple University

M.A. African American Studies, Clark Atlanta University

B.A. Economics and Business, Lafayette College

Awards & Honors:

CLAS – Humanities Scholarship Enhancement Fund 2024

Current Courses:

AFA2390: Race and sports in America

AFA2151: Surveying African American Culture

IDS2935 (Quest I): For the Culture: Foundations of Black Popular Culture

IDS2935 (Quest II): Sports as Social Science