Elaine Richardson

Bio

Elaine Richardson (aka Dr. E) is a community-engaged scholar and performing artist. She is Professor of Literacy Studies in the College of Education at The Ohio State University. Dr. E’s work focuses on the empowerment of Black women, girls, gender-expansive people of color, and overall community wellness. Her projects are anchored in afterschool and community-based contexts, employing music, poetry, storytelling, theatre, dance, visual arts and popular culture, as evinced in Empowering Young Voices Mentoring for the Arts (founder and co-director) and Columbus Women&Girls’Fest (founding director). These initiatives provide a platform to empower diverse women and girls, and honor Black and Brown community literacies. Dr. E is the founding (and past) director of the HipHop Literacies Conference, bringing together stakeholders to dialogue on pressing social issues of concern to the Hiphop generations. She is author of numerous books, articles, and recordings. Dr. E is an internationally recognized award-winning speaker, scholar, author, and performance activist.

Select awards include:  The 2024 Women of Achievement Award by the YWCA of Central Ohio for determination, generosity, courage, and fight for equity.  The 2023 National Council of Teachers of English Leadership Award for Advancement of People of Color for her work with communities of color in and outside of the profession for promoting equity and dismantling racism. The 2023 Ohio State University, College of Education and Human Ecology Rudine S. Bishop for Diversity Enhancement Award for dedication to leading and sustaining diverse relationships with the community and connecting the college with the community. Richardson was recognized in 2022 as an outstanding Community Engaged Scholar by The Ohio State University; She was honored in 2019 by The Conference on Community Writing, with the Community Engaged Scholar Award.