FAMU Alumna Named Founding Director New Center for Media At Northeastern University

Florida A&M University alumna Meredith Clark, Ph.D., has joined Northeastern University as the founding director of the Center for Communications, Media Innovation and Social Change, which will be housed in the College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD), where Clark will be an associate professor.

A former print journalist for the Tallahassee Democrat and the Raleigh News & Observer, Clark is a noted researcher and scholar with extensive knowledge in critical race theory, social media, and journalism.

Her work focuses on “Reparative Journalism,” the concepts and practices of assessing and addressing harm that media has done to marginalized communities.

“I am completely dedicated to doing things that have an impact outside of the classroom, university, and geographic community, and am excited to see how far that vision can stretch,” Clark said in a statement announcing her arrival at the Boston campus. 

She earned a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in journalism from FAMU  before pursuing at Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The Center will be housed within CAMD’s intersectional, multi-disciplinary research environment, and connecting with the university’s strategic directions in AI and technological and human literacies, the Center will be a hub for the advanced study of race, ethnicity, and activism, with an emphasis on media impact and the empowerment of marginalized communities, the University said.

The Center will draw on existing areas of excellence in the Department of Communication Studies, Media and Screen Studies, and the School of Journalism faculties, and connect with initiatives across the college and university on race and social justice.

“The College of Arts, Media and Design is excited to establish the new Center for Communication, Media Innovation and Social Change,” says CAMD Dean Elizabeth Hudson. “As a community, we are dedicated to fostering important conversations regarding race, ethnicity, and activism. We believe with renowned scholar and educator Meredith Clark as the founding leader for this Center, we can work together to create a better and more equitable future.” 

Clark comes to Northeastern with an extensive knowledge of journalism and theory both in and out of the classroom.

“Meredith is a rising star, or I should say a star who has risen,” said Dr. Brooke Foucault Welles, Ph.D., incoming interim chair of Communications Studies. “To have Meredith at the helm of this Center with experience as a working journalist and a leading scholar in critical race theory, social media, and the influence of the press, activism, and public opinion on ideas about equity and justice is very exciting.”  

As a leader, Clark believes in the power and importance of community, and is eager to connect with the Northeastern community and beyond.

 “Hearing from people who I know share that world view, cheering me on … will really allow me to step into the role and do my very best and fulfill it to the best of my ability,” said Clark.