Off the Shelf: Revolutionary Readings in Times of Crisis

S4, Episode 2: David Walton on the Past, Present, and Future of Black Studies

Humanities Research Institute Season 4 Episode 2

 In this episode, we hear from guest David Walton, history professor and founding director of the Global Black Studies program at Western Carolina University. Walton takes the listener back to his childhood, when he developed an interest in reading foundational works by public intellectuals like Malcolm X, Bobby Seale, and Huey Newton. After stints with teaching and military service, Walton returned to those readings and dug deeper into histories both global and local— even discovering connections among his own family—as he completed dual PhD degrees.

Episode web page and show notes