Celebrating Excellence: Chenjerai Kumanyika Named 2025 AFAM Outstanding Alumni Award Recipient

Last week, the Department of African American Studies proudly honored Chenjerai Kumanyika with the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to media, scholarship, and social justice.

A double Penn State graduate, Kumanyika earned his B.A. in African American Studies in 1995 and his Ph.D. in Philosophy, Mass Communications/Media Studies in 2013 from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. His career stands as a testament to the power of critical storytelling, public scholarship, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Currently an assistant professor at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, Kumanyika’s work blends academic rigor with powerful narrative journalism. His expertise lies in using non-fiction audio to challenge dominant myths about American history—particularly around race, policing, the Civil War, and democracy. His groundbreaking podcast, Empire City (Wondery/Crooked Media), explores the untold origin story of the NYPD and was named one of the Top 10 Podcasts of 2024 by The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Time Magazine.

Kumanyika is also the co-creator of the Peabody Award-winning podcast Uncivil, and a key voice in acclaimed projects like Scene on Radio’s Seeing White and The Land That Never Has Been Yet. His scholarship and media work have been widely published, spanning academic journals and major platforms such as The Intercept, NPR, VICE, and This American Life.

As part of his visit, Kumanyika hosted a Coffee Hour discussion with students, faculty, and staff—an energizing, insightful conversation about his career journey, creative process, and the role of media in movements for justice. The event fostered thoughtful dialogue, with many attendees leaving inspired by Kumanyika’s candid reflections and the depth of his critical work.

Throughout his career, Kumanyika has consistently pushed the boundaries of how we understand media, labor, race, and power. His numerous accolades—including the Peabody Award, The Media Literate Media Award, and Dallas Smythe Award—reflect his sustained impact as both a thinker and a changemaker.

We are honored to celebrate Chenjerai Kumanyika—not only for his past achievements but for the bold, critical, and inspiring work he continues to do. He embodies the spirit and mission of our department, and we are proud to call him one of our own.