David Ikard

David Ikard is a professor of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt University. His academic career has been marked by significant roles, including serving as the chair of Africana Studies at the University of Miami and the chair of African American and Diaspora Studies at Vanderbilt. Ikard has contributed scholarly essays to numerous journals such as the African American Review, African and Black Diaspora Journal, Palimpsest, MELUS, CLA, and Obsidian II. His presence as a thought leader extends to media outlets like CSPAN, Left of Black, and The Feminist Wire.

Ikard is the author or coauthor of four influential books: "Breaking The Silence: Toward a Black Male Feminist Criticism," "Nation of Cowards: Black Activism in Barack Obama’s Post-Racial America" (co-authored with Martell Teasley), "Blinded by the Whites: Why Race Still Matters in the 21st Century," and "Lovable Racists, Magical Negroes, and White Messiahs" (2017). His book "Nation of Cowards" was recognized with the Best Scholarly Book Award from the DIOP organization in 2013. Additionally, Ikard’s commitment to academia extends beyond writing, as he is a dedicated mentor, having received the William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award in 2015 from the Florida Education Fund and the McKnight Fellows.

A devoted father and engaging professor, Ikard is frequently found on the Vanderbilt campus engaging deeply with students on a range of topics from civil rights advancements to black feminism and popular culture. He is also a Ford Fellow and serves as a faculty mentor for the Woodrow Wilson Career Enhancement Fellowship, underscoring his commitment to guiding the next generation of scholars and activists. Ikard continues to lecture on the nuanced racial politics that are often sidelined in public discourse, bringing these critical conversations to the forefront of academic and civic engagement.