Sydney Smith

PhD Student in African American History, Rutgers University

Somerset, New Jersey, United States

About

I am currently a PhD student in the Department of History at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. My research interests include 20th century African American history, Black feminism, motherhood, Black political thought, and Black women’s autobiographical writing. Specifically, I am is interested in exploring Black women’s mothering experiences and political thought within late 20th century Black liberation movements.

Experience

  • Graduate Research Assistant, Scarlet and Black Research Center at Rutgers University–New Brunswick
    Sep 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

  • Brown University (4 yrs 9 mos)
    • Curriculum Coordinator, Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice
      Jun 2022 - Aug 2023 · 1 yr 3 mos

      - Conduct archival research for Reimagining New England Histories, a collaborative project between Brown University, Williams College, and the Mystic Seaport Museum that deploys maritime history to recover stories of Black and Indigenous life in New England, funded by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s Just Futures Initiative. - Curate digital repository of regional archival materials containing primary and secondary source material on Black and Indigenous history in New England. - Design K-12 lesson plan on the history of Malaga Island, Maine that corresponds to state standards and includes IEP/504 adjustments to be used by Maine educators.

    • Coordinator, Transformative Justice Initiative
      Aug 2021 - May 2022 · 10 mos

      - Facilitate year-long Transformative Justice Practitioner Program (develop program weekly curriculum, host Circle process, advise and support cohort members) - Assist Community Accountability processes through individual coaching and group brainstorming - Support logistical and content coordination for Providence-wide trainings and workshops

    • Communications Coordinator, Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice
      Feb 2020 - May 2022 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      - Create promotional graphics for events using Adobe Photoshop - Coordinate and design annual report using Adobe InDesign - Assist in website development

  • Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow at The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
    May 2020 - May 2022 · 2 yrs 1 mo

    - Develop and conduct individual research project on women in the Black Panther Party for Africana Studies Honors thesis - Presented at Mellon Mays Northeast Regional Conference's roundtable on "Mothering and Kinship, Bodies and Belonging"

  • InLight Diversity Magazine (2 yrs 6 mos)
    • Outreach Director, National Branch
      Jul 2018 - Jan 2020 · 1 yr 7 mos

      - Corresponded with administrators and teachers from prospective schools about magazine implementation - Built relationships with local non-profit organizations and houses of worship - Researched and pitched concept to potential subscribers

    • Editor In Chief, Bullis School
      Aug 2017 - Jun 2018 · 11 mos

      - Developed and pitched proposal to administration - Crafted grant proposal for project funding - Directed editorial team and corresponded with publisher - Reviewed and edited student articles and collaborated with faculty advisors

  • Intern at Zephyr Press
    May 2019 - Aug 2019 · 4 mos

    - Edited explanatory and contextual notes of Letters from Mississippi - Conducted oral history interviews with over a hundred contributors - Authored contributors’ biographical statements