Ray Block

Analyzes the recent and rapid change in the Volunteer State from Democratic control of state politics to Republican control and the consequences of that shift for African American politicians and citizens. Examines the polarization in values, preferences, and voting behaviors between blacks and whites, contending that this racial divide is both one of the causes and one of the consequences of black Tennesseans' recent loss of political power.

Explores the conditional relationship between two of the strongest and most reliable measures of turnout, interest in politics and civic duty, on the voting patterns of African Americans. Discovers that campaign enthusiasm and civic duty have differential effects on voting—effects that change over time and from one generation of African Americans to the next.

Extends the “Barack Obama effect” literature to Michelle Obama--particularly, the idea that her political prominence can influence how voters perceive Black women in America. Finds that Michelle Obama’s status as a role model not only transmits the effect of her media prominence to voters’ racial attitudes, but also that the strength of role model status as a "mediating variable" differs according to race (and, to a lesser degree, gender).

Examines the degree to which Oprah’s perceived ability to “transcend race” changed markedly after she endorsed the then-Illinois-Senator Barack Obama. Discovers that the magnitude of Oprah Winfrey’s favorability and her “endorsement effect” varies by race and gender.

Explores the relationship between Black youths’ ability to critique the negative messages in rap music and the degree to which these African Americans are politically active. Discovers that heavy consumers of the music (i.e., the "rap connoisseurs") are best able to translate their critiques into political activism, which suggest that "rap wokeness" can be a political mobilizer.