Toniesha Taylor

  

My home page has one of my favorite quotes from author and scholar Zora Neale Hurston, "research is formalized curiosity". I have always been curious. In elementary and middle grades I was awarded most curious or most likely to ask questions (admittedly, not all of my teachers liked or encouraged this behavior). My parents loved that I asked questions. They always had answers. Although the answer was often, "I don't know. Why don't you go look that one up?" My parents taught me how to formalize my curiosity - to look it up.

Now, I spend my days in formalized curiosity. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department Languages and Communication at Prairie View A & M University. Currently my research, conference presentations and publications include discussions on womanist rhetoric as method and theory; practical social justice pedagogy for faculty and students; critical engagement in popular cultural critique; on and offline discourses of African American Sorority women; African American women’s sermons and conversion discourses both historic and contemporary. I am very interested in creating digital links between 19th century African American Women Orators and contemporary audiences.

I love to read. No really, I am an avid reader. I read all sorts of things. My reading list is never nearly complete because I am constantly adding to it. When I'm not reading I can be caught watching television or film. I will usually watch for the sake of remaining current as a cultural critic. I am a lover and supporter of football, the arts, jazz music and singer songwriters of various genres. I volunteer my time in various service organizations and community outreach programs. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends.