Dr. Jessica Klanderud

Dr. Jessica Klanderud is an Associate Professor of African and African American Studies and History at Berea College, where she also serves as the Director of the Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education. She is the author of Struggle for the Street: Social Networks and the Struggle for Civil Rights in Pittsburgh (University of North Carolina Press, 2023), a groundbreaking exploration of African American community organizing and urban spaces during the Civil Rights Movement.
Dr. Klanderud earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in History from Carnegie Mellon University, where her research focused on African American history, comparative slavery, and the history of poverty in America. Her work examines the intersection of race, class, and power in urban spaces, with a particular emphasis on how African Americans defined and reclaimed their neighborhoods in the 20th century.
In addition to her scholarly contributions, Dr. Klanderud is a dedicated educator and mentor, teaching courses on African American history, Black Power movements, and the history of medicine and technology. She is deeply committed to fostering inclusive and transformative learning environments, both in the classroom and through her leadership at the Carter G. Woodson Center.
Dr. Klanderud’s work extends beyond academia through public-facing publications, podcasts, and community-engaged programming. She has organized numerous conferences, workshops, and symposia on topics such as interracial education, Black history, and coalition building. Her dedication to advancing equity and justice is reflected in her teaching, research, and leadership, making her a vital voice in the ongoing struggle for a more just and interconnected world.