Fadilat T. Olasupo

Hello!

I am a fourth-year PhD Candidate in Sociology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. My research focuses on the intersections of race and ethnicity, immigration, transnationalism, identity and belonging, and anti-racism. I explore the racial socialization practices of Black immigrants, particularly African immigrants, to understand how they transmit racial messages and the ways in which these messages resist or (re)produce racial hierarchies and anti-Blackness both in the U.S. and transnationally. My broader research interests highlight the global impact of racism on marginalized communities, with a commitment to advancing racial justice and social change.

As a first-generation Black woman doctoral scholar, I am deeply invested in producing scholarship that challenges systemic oppression and promotes equity. My work has been supported by research fellowships from institutions including the University of Michigan Law School, the National Center for Institutional Diversity (NCID), the Social Science Research Council, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, and the City University of New York (CUNY) Brooklyn College.

In addition to my academic work, I am an educator and advocate, emphasizing the connections between systemic inequalities and the experiences of marginalized populations, particularly African immigrants and Black Americans. My teaching and advocacy efforts aim to amplify the voices of these communities and foster meaningful social change.

My ultimate goal is to contribute to a body of knowledge that not only critiques existing structures of power but also offers pathways toward liberation and justice for racialized communities globally. In recognition of my commitment to integrity, human dignity, and excellence at the University of Michigan, I was awarded the Gupta Values Scholarship in 2023.