Writing and writer identity

Sociology of education

Underrepresented students

Colorism

self-esteem

About

Kiara Lee, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Focused Inquiry. In addition to her teaching, Kiara also has a passion for writing poetry and writing children’s books that represent and acknowledge underrepresented populations and life experiences. She has two children’s books titled “Light-Skinned, Dark-Skinned or In- Between,“ which focuses on colorism, and “Be a Man Tyrone: What Happens When Daddy Goes to Prison,” which focuses on parental incarceration. In 2020, she won a Green Eye Shade Award for her provocative online editorial, “A Crooked Seat at the Table: Black and Alone in an Honors Class,” published by Learning for Justice (formerly Known as Teaching Tolerance). Her latest writing venture, her forthcoming poetry book titled "She Forgot Who She Was," is intended to empower women and facilitate healing.

Education

• Ph.D., Education, Virginia Commonwealth University;
• M. Ed, Education, University of Virginia;
• B.A., Sociology, University of Richmond

Courses Taught

• UNIV 111
• UNIV 112
• UNIV 217
• UNIV 299

Awards

• Green Eye Shade Award Winner, Online Commentary
• 2020 Style Weekly Top 40 Under 40

Affiliations

• Department of African American Studies (affiliate faculty)