Tanya Mears, Ph.D., associate professor in the History and Political Science Department [1], spoke at the Diverse Professional Roundtable annual educational meeting of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 13. The event was sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and HMEA Services for Children.
Dr. Mears spoke about her forthcoming book, which analyzes short biographies, autobiographies, sermons, and narratives written in New England about the execution of Black criminals during the Colonial era. This was influenced by her years of research on Colonial New England, African American history, and the politics of black hair.
Mears was granted a fellowship by The American Antiquarian Society in honor of her research. She was also the recipient of Worcester State University’s 2017 Diversity and Inclusion Award for her work with first-generation students and students of color.