Dr. Leah Tonnette Gaines, Speaker

Dr. Leah Tonnette Gaines is an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University. She earned her PhD in African American and African Studies, with a concentration in Urban Education, from Michigan State University. An interdisciplinary scholar and educator, her work bridges Africana Studies, Education, Linguistics, and Gender Studies. Dr. Gaines’s research examines structural inequities, high-impact educational practices, experiential learning, and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. Committed to equity and community engagement, she explores how culturally responsive teaching and transformative educational experiences can foster student success and social change. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented her research at national and international conferences. As a dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Gaines has been recognized for creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments that empower students to critically engage with issues of race, identity, culture, and social justice.