Magda Desgranges

Assistant Professor of English, Africana Studies, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Bio

Dr. Desgranges is a global scholar who has taught in the Caribbean, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.  In addition to being an educator, she is also a visual artist. Her work spans the intersections of race, African Diaspora identity politics, feminism, visual art and film. Her current research project examines Haitian Feminisms and artistic expressions, particularly how Haitian women artists navigate time, space, and an ancestral modality of freedom practices.  This research also infuses interdisciplinary pedagogical tools rooted in African epistemology and aesthetics.


Education

PhD, Cultural Analysis and Theory, Stony Brook University
MA, Pan-African Studies, University of Louisville
BA, English and Media Studies, Hunter College


Research Interests / Areas of Focus

Haitian Historiography and Folklore, Black Feminism, Francophone Caribbean Literature and Film, Pan-Africanism, Diaspora Documentary Film, African Art and Aesthetics, Decolonial and Postcolonial Theory, Cultural Memory and Mémoir


Selected Publications

“Memory’s Method: Time, Space, and Remembrance in Caribbean Narratives.” Journal of Underrepresented and Minority Progress. Volume 2, Issue 1. July 2018. p. 21-31.

“Creole: From Marley’s Kingston to Wyclef’s Croix-Des-Bouquets.” Race, Gender, Crime: An Anthology. Ed. RayVon Robertson. New York, NY: Whittier Publications, 2008. p. 75-84.


Selected Presentations

“Maroonage, Music, and Memory.” Haitian Studies Association Annual Conference. Howard University. Washington, DC.  2022.

“RADical Health, Self-Care, and Student Success.” New York University Faculty Resource Network Symposium. 2021.

“Sonjé Lakay: Language and Historicity in Antillean Narratives.” Modern Language Association Annual Convention. New York, New York. 2018.

“Nasyon Solèy: Language, Liaisons and Lineage in Emeline Michel’s Orality.” Caribbean Studies Association Annual Conference. Santa Marta, Colombia. 2019.

“En Mémoire: Time, Space and Remembrance in Caribbean Narratives.” Postcolonial Studies Association Convention. School of Advanced Studies. London, England. 2017.

“’Citizens of the World’: History, Hybridity, Transnationalism and Translation.” Theory Today: An Interdisciplinary Conference on Critical Theory. The City University of New York Graduate Center. New York, New York. 2016.

 

“August Wilson: The Man, His Message, Muse and Media” The State of Black Writers

Forum. Essex County College. Newark, New Jersey. 2012.


Creative Work

Graphic Design Artist and Photographer. MD.Dezigns. Brooklyn, New York. 2003 - 2023.

Visual Art Workshop Coordinator. Cheongyang Public School. Ulsan, South Korea. 2014.

Visual Art Workshop Coordinator. African American Academy. Douala, Cameroon. 2013.

Visual Art Therapy Coordinator and Facilitator. Post Earthquake Disaster Relief.Port-au-Prince, Haïti. 2010.

Mural Artist. New York Cares Special Art Project. P.S.1X. Bronx, New York. 2009.

Magda Desgranges

Contact Information

Academic School

School of Liberal Arts

Office

Fontaine 224

Email

Magdala.Desgranges@marist.edu

Phone

(845) 575-3000 ext. 2585