Featured Ancestor Scholars of Color – Alphabetical List
From the 19th century to 2021
(alphabetical order by surname; Hon* indicates honorary degrees)
Samuel C. Adams, Jr., PhD (1920-2001)
African American, Ethnography
Ricardo Alegría, PhD (1921 -2011)
Puerto Rican, Archaeology
Liyna Anwar, BA (1989-2020)
South Asian American, Journalism, Radio
Gloria Anzaldúa, PhD (1942-2004)
Chicana, Cultural Theory, Philosophy, Poetry
Cornelia Bailey (1945-2017)
African American, Storytelling, Cultural Activism
James Baldwin, Hon* (1924-1987)
African American, Literature, Cultural History
Pura Belpré (1899-1982)
Puerto Rican, Language, Children’s Folklore, Cultural Activism, Library Work
John Blassingame, PhD (1940-2000)
African American, History
Grace Lee Boggs, PhD (1915-2015)
Chinese American, Cultural Theory, Philosophy, Activism
Frank Bonilla, PhD (1925-2010)
Puerto Rican, Sociology, Activism
Arnaud (Arna) Bontemps, MLS and Hon* (1902-1973)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Literature, Library work
Horace Clarence Boyer, PhD (1935-2009)
African American, Music
John Mason Brewer, MA and Hon* (1896-1975)
African American, Folklore, Ethnography
Sterling Allen Brown, MA and Hon* (1901-1989)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Literature
Roy Simon Bryce-Laporte, PhD (1933-2012)
West Indian Panamanian American, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, Diaspora Studies
Edward J. Cabbell, PhD (1946-2018)
African American, History, Cultural Activism, Literature
Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert, BPed and BS (1894-1991)
Nuevo Mexicana, Folklore, Foodways, Federal Writers’ Project
Lydia Cabrera, Hon* (1899-1991)
Cuban American, Folklore, Ethnography
John Brother Cade, MA (1894-1970)
African American, Ethnography, History
María Cadilla de Martínez, PhD (1886-1951)
Puerto Rican, Folklore
Arthur L. Campa, Sr., PhD (1905-1978)
Mexican American, Folklore, Federal Writers’ Project, Cultural History
Charles Waddell Chesnutt, Esq and Hon* (1858-1932)
African American, Literature, Folklore, Activism
Marcus Bruce Christian (1900-1976)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Literature
VèVè Amasasa Clark, PhD (1944-2007)
African American, Diaspora Studies
Rubén Cobos (1911-2010)
Mexican American, Folklore, Music, Lexicography
Anna Julia Haywood Cooper, PhD (1859-1964)
African American, Education, Activism
Nora Marks Dauenhauer (Keixwnéi), BA and Hon* (1927-2017)
Native American (Tlingit), Linguistics, Literature
Gerald L. Davis, PhD (1941-1997)
African American, Folklore
Violet Kazue de Cristoforo (1917-2007)
Japanese American, Literature, Activism, Ethnography
Ella Deloria (Aŋpétu Wašté Wiŋ), BSc (1889-1971)
Native American (Yankton Dakota), Ethnography, Literature, Linguistics
Vine Deloria, BTh, JD, and Hon* (1933-2005)
Native American (Standing Rock Sioux), Cultural Theory, Religion
Frederick Douglass, Hon* (1818-1895)
African American, Autoethnography
Edward Pasqual Dozier (Eduardo de Pascua Dozier), PhD (1916-1971)
Native American (Tewa Pueblo), Ethnography, Anthropology, Linguistics
William Edward Burghardt DuBois, PhD (1868-1963)
African American, Cultural Theory, Sociology
Katherine Dunham, PhB and Hon* (1909-2006)
African American, Dance, Ethnography, Theater
Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa), MD (1858-1939)
Native American (Santee Sioux), Ethnography
Ralph Ellison, Hon* (1913-1994)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Literature
Aurelio Macedonio Espinosa, Sr., PhD (1880-1958)
Nuevo Mexicano, Folklore, Linguistics
William J. Faulkner, MA (1891-1987)
African American, Storytelling, Religion, Activism
Arthur Huff Fauset, PhD (1899-1983)
African American, Folklore, Literature
Doreen Gamboa Fernandez, PhD (1934-2002)
Filipina American, Foodways, Theater, Literature
Juan Flores, PhD (1943-2014)
Puerto Rican, Sociology, Activism
Samuel A. Floyd, PhD (1937-2016)
African American, Music, Archives
Charlotte Forten Grimke, BA (1837-1914)
African American, Ethnography, Literature, Activism
Rosemarie Freeney Harding, MA and MSW, (1931-2004)
African American, Autoethnography, Spirituality, Activism
Gladys-Marie Fry, PhD (1931-2015)
African American, Folklore, History
Ernest James Gaines, BA and Hon* (1933-2019)
African American, Literature
Mary Siisip Geniusz, MLA (1948-2016)
Native American (Cree/Metis), Ethnobotany
Jovita González Mireles, MA and Hon* (1904-1983)
Tejana, Folklore, Literature
John Gwaltney, PhD (1928-1998)
African American, Ethnography, Anthropology
Stephen E. Henderson, PhD (1925-1997)
African American, Cultural Activism, Literary Theory
John Napoleon Brinton Hewitt (1859-1937)
Native American (Tuscarora), Ethnography, Linguistics, Museum Work
Karen Higa, MA (1966-2013)
Japanese American, Art History, Museum Work
James Hirabayashi, PhD (1926-2012)
Japanese American, Ethnic Studies, Activism, Museum Work
Lane Ryo Hirabayashi, PhD (1952-2020)
Japanese American, Ethnic Studies, Museum Work
bell hooks (Gloria Jean Watkins), PhD (1952-2021)
African American, Cultural Theory, Philosophy
Chang-Su Houchins, MA (1925-2009)
Korean American, Museum Work, Material Culture
Francis L. K. Hsu (Xu Hongguang), PhD (1909-1999)
Chinese American, Anthropology, Folklore
Langston Hughes, BA and Hon* (1901-1967)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Literature
Zora Neale Hurston, BA and Hon* (1891-1960)
African American, Folklore, Literature, Federal Writers’ Project
Helen Chizuko Okamoto Iwanaga, BA (1914-2007)
Japanese American, Music, Dance, Education
Reverend Yoshio Iwanaga (1900-1950)
Japanese American, Music, Dance, Education
Alan Jabbour, PhD (1942-2019)
Syrian American, Folklore, Music
Willis Laurence James, BA and Hon* (1900-1966)
African American, Music, Folklore, Education
Charles S. Johnson, PhD (1893-1956)
African American, Sociology, Education, Ethnography, Activism
James Weldon Johnson, JD and Hon* (1871-1938)
African American, Music, Literature, Activism
John Rosamond Johnson, Hon* (1873-1954)
African American, Music, Theater
Lewis Wade Jones, PhD (1910-1979)
African American, Ethnography, Sociology
Mary Elizabeth (Bessie) Jones (1902-1984)
African American, Autoethnography, Cultural Activism
William Jones (Megasiáwa / Black Eagle), PhD (1871-1909)
Native American (Mesquakie/Fox), Ethnography, Linguistics
Patricia Jones-Jackson, PhD (1946-1986)
African American, Linguistics
King Kalākahua (David La‘amea Kamanakapu‘u Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani) (1836-1891)
Native Hawaiian, Music, Dance, Cultural Activism
Zanea Panea (Z.P.) Kalokuokamaile (1849-1942)
Native Hawaiian, Language, Cultural Activism, Journalism
Edith Kanaka‘ole (1913-1979)
Native Hawaiian, Dance, Cultural Activism, Ethnobotany, Language
Mary Abigail Kawena‘ulaokalaniaHi‘iakaikapolioPelekawahine‘aihonua Wiggin Pūku‘i, Hon* (1895-1986)
Native Hawaiian, Folklore, Narrative, Linguistics, Dance, Music
John Oliver Killens, Hon* (1916-1987)
African American, Literature
Yuri Kochiyama, AA and Hon* (1921-2014)
Japanese American, Activism, Cultural Theory
Frances La Flesche (Minxa’ska), MA and Hon* (1857-1932)
Native American (Omaha), Ethnomusicology, Museum Work
Him Mark Lai, BSME (1925-2009)
Chinese American, History, Autoethnography
Dorothy Sara Lee, PhD (1951-2005)
African American, Archives, Folklore, Ethnomusicology
Jon Y. Lee (1915-1987)
Chinese American, Ethnography, Federal Writers’ Project, Narrative
Yan Phou Lee, BS (1861-ca. 1938)
Chinese American, Autoethnography
Young Kwok (Corky) Lee, BA (1947-2021)
Chinese American, Documentary Photography, Activism
Julius Lester, BA (1939-2018)
African American, Literature, Children’s Folklore, Media, Documentary photography
Roscoe E. Lewis, MS (1904-1961)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Ethnography
Queen Lili‘uokalani (Lydia Lili‘u Loloku Walania Wewehi Kamaka‘eha) (1838-1917)
Native Hawaiian, Music, Activism
Richard A. Long, PhD (1927-2013)
African American, Cultural Theory, Activism
Will West Long (Willí Westì) (1870-1947)
Native American (Eastern Band Cherokee), Autoethnography, Folklore, Crafts
Mellie Leandicho Lopez, PhD (ca 1928-2017)
Filipina American, Folklore, Journalism
Audre Lorde, MLS and Hon* (1932-1992)
African American, Cultural Theory, Philosophy, Library Work
John Lovell, Jr., PhD (1907-1974)
African American, Music, Literature
Aurora Lucero-White Lea, MA (1894-1963)
Nuevo Mexicana, Folklore, Federal Writers’ Project, Activism
Dawn Mabalon, PhD (1972-2018)
Filipina American, History, Historic Preservation, Activism, Education
Linda Mabalot, BA (1953-2003)
Filipina American, Film, Activism
Esther Martinez (P’oe Tsáwa), BA and Hon* (1912-2006)
Native American (Tewa Pueblo), Linguistics, Education, Cultural Activism
Roberto Martínez, Sr. (1929-2013)
Nuevo Mexicano, Music, Activism
Cleofas Martínez Jaramillo (1878-1956)
Nuevo Mexicana, Folklore
Maxidiwiac (Buffalo Bird Woman) (ca 1839-1932)
Native American (Hidatsa), Autoethnography
Robert H. McNeill (1917-2005)
African American, Documentary Photography, Federal Writers’ Project
Kathryn Lawson Morgan, PhD (1919-2010)
African American, Folklore, Literature
Toni Morrison, MA and Hon* (1931-2019)
African American, Cultural Theory, Literature
Mourning Dove (Hum-ishu-ma / Christine Quintasket) (1884-1936)
Native American (Okanogan and Arrow Lakes), Ethnography, Literature
Albert Murray, MA and Hon* (1916-2013)
African American, Cultural Theory, Literature
Walter Murray Chiesa, BPed (1923-2014)
Puerto Rican, Material Culture, Crafts
Viola B. Muse, BA (1898-1981)
African American, Ethnography, Federal Writers’ Project
George Na‘ope, PhD (1928-2009)
Native Hawaiian, Dance, Cultural Activism
Alixa Naff, PhD (1919-2013)
Arab American, History
Clydia Nahwooksy, BA (1933-2009)
Native American (Cherokee), Activism, History, Museum Work
Reaves Fred Nahwooksy, BS (1955-2009)
Native American (Comanche), Museum Work, Activism
Emma Ka‘ilikapuolono Nakuina (1847-1929)
Native Hawaiian, Museum Work, Cultural and Judicial Activism
Jesús (Chuy) Negrete, PhD (ca 1949-2021)
Chicano, Music, Activism, Education, Ethnomusicology
Alfonso Ortiz, PhD (1939-1997)
Native American (Pueblo), Ethnography
María Adelina Isabel Emilia (Nina) Otero-Warren (1881-1965)
Nuevo Mexicana, Folklore, Federal Writers’ Project, Activism, Education
Américo Paredes, PhD (1915-1999)
Mexican American, Folklore, Journalism, Literature
Arthur Caswell Parker, Hon* (1881-1955)
Native American (Seneca), Archaeology, Museum Work
Gordon Parks, Hon* (1912-2006)
African American, Documentary Photography, Film, Music
Keewaydinoquay Pakawakuk Peschel, MEd (1919-1999)
Native American (Anishinaabe), Ethnobotany
Manuel Heriberto Peña, PhD (1942-2019)
Tejano, Folklore, Ethnomusicology
J. Nash Porter (1942-2007)
African American, Documentary Photography
Pearl Eileen Primus, PhD (1919-1994)
African American, Dance, Ethnography, Theater
Albert Jordy Raboteau II, PhD (1943-2021)
African American, Religion, History
Juan Bautista Rael (1900-1993)
Nuevo Mexicano, Folklore, Music, Linguistics
A.K. Ramanujan, PhD (1929-1933)
South Asian American, Literature, Linguistics, Folklore
Lawrence Reddick, PhD (1910-1995)
African American, Ethnography, History
Lesley (Esley) Riddle (1905-1979)
African American, Music
Marlon Troy Riggs, MA and Hons* (1957-1994)
African American, Documentary Film, Cultural Theory
Joaquín Rivera, BA (1946-2009)
Puerto Rican, Music, Activism
Beverly Robinson, PhD (1945-2002)
African American, Folklore, Ethnography, Theater
Ramón (Chunky) Sánchez (1951-2016)
Chicano, Music, Activism
Teodoro Vidal Santoni (1923-2016)
Puerto Rican, Material Culture, Folklore, History
Jane Johnston Schoolcraft (Bamewawagezhikaquay) (1800-1842)
Native American (Anishinaabe), Ethnography, Literature
Ophelia Settle Egypt, MA and MS (1903-1984)
African American, Ethnography, Activism
Louis V. Shotridge (Stoowukháa) (1883-1937)
Native American (Tlingit), Ethnography, Material Culture, Museum Work
Pang Xiong Sirirathasuk Sikoun (1944-2020)
Hmong American, Material Culture, Music, Community Organizing
Paul Chan Pang Siu, PhD (1906-1987)
Chinese American, Ethnography, Sociology, Social Work
Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor, Hon* (1937-2016)
African American, Foodways, Ethnography, Media Production
Emmet McDonald Starr, MD (1870-1930)
Native American (Oklahoma Cherokee), History, Genealogy
P. Sterling Stuckey, PhD (1932-2018)
African American, History
Ronald Takaki, PhD (1939-2009)
Japanese American, History
Thomas Washington Talley, DSc (1870-1952)
African American, Folklore
Gladys Iola Tantaquidgeon, Hon* (1899-2005)
Native American (Mohegan), Ethnography, Anthropology
Samuel Shinkle Taylor, MEd (1886-1956)
African American, Ethnography, Activism
Lee-hsia Hsu Ting, PhD (1923-2005)
Chinese American, Folklore, Narrative, Library Science
Nai-tung Ting, PhD (1915-1989)
Chinese American, Folklore, Narrative
Lorenzo Dow Turner, PhD (1890-1972)
African American, Linguistics, Ethnography
Harry Urata (1917-2009)
Japanese American, Music, Education
Margaret Walker Alexander, PhD (1915-1998)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Literature
Andrew Polk Watson, MA (1894-1969)
African American, Ethnography
Kariamu Welsh (Asante), PhD (1949-2021)
African American, Dance, Ethnography
William H. Wiggins, Jr., PhD (1934-2016)
African American, Folklore, Ethnography
Olly Woodrow Wilson, Jr., PhD (1937-2018)
African American, Music, Ethnography
Frederick Jerome Work, BM (ca 1879-1942)
African American, Music
John Wesley Work II, MA (1871-1925)
African American, Music, Ethnography
John Wesley Work III, MA and Hon* (1901-1967)
African American, Music, Ethnography
Richard Nathaniel Wright (1908-1960)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Literature
Ching-kun (CK) Yang (Yáng Qìngkūn), PhD (1911-1999)
Chinese American, Sociologist
Rosebud Yellow Robe Frantz (Lacotawin) (1907-1992)
Native American (Lakota), Education, Children’s Folklore
Frank Yerby, MA and Hon* (1916-1991)
African American, Federal Writers’ Project, Literature
Ulysses S. Young, PhD (ca 1914-1991)
African American, Ethnography, Anthropology
María Elena Zamora O’Shea (1880-1951)
Tejana, Literature, Education
Zitkala-Ṡa (Red Bird / Gertrude Simmons Bonnin) (1876-1938)
Native American (Yankton Dakota), Music, Education, Activism