About

Prof. Deborah (de-BOR-uh) Brown (they/she) is an Associate Professor at Riverside City College where they teach Ethnic Studies and History with an emphasis in Gender & Sexuality Studies. Their work focuses on the history of ethnic studies core disciplines, oral history and archiving, reproductive justice, women of color feminisms, queer of color studies, and trans of color studies. Since 2010, Professor Brown has developed programming and mentored women of color and queer and trans students of color, including the creation and advancement of Ethnic Studies, Women and Gender Studies, LGBTQ+ Studies, and Social Justice Studies at Riverside City College.

As a Black queer mother, educator, and scholar-activist, Professor Brown is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders, supporting their pursuit of transformative change, and working toward a more just society. As an Umoja faculty member, they co-created and co-advise the Queens of Umoja group for Black female students. As LGBTQ+ Association for Student Success and Equity (LASSE) faculty co-chair, Professor Brown drafted the proposal for the creation of the Rainbow Engagement Center and Rainbow Learning Community.

In 2020, Professor Brown became a member of the California Community College Ethnic Studies Faculty Council (CCCESFC), the premier organization of CCC Ethnic Studies faculty and administrators. They are currently a member of the CCCESFC executive board and the chair of the Black Studies Caucus. The council has been instrumental in the implementation of AB 1460 and the Ethnic Studies graduation requirements across California Community Colleges. Through these efforts, the council has contributed to the growth and development of authentic Ethnic Studies programs statewide.

Professor Brown is also actively engaged in shared governance at Riverside City College, serving in key roles on the Faculty Senate Global Learning and Study Abroad Committee. Professor Brown has been a part of the ASCCC Black Caucus since 2020. Professor Brown was a fellow in the ASCCC Faculty Empowerment and Leadership Academy (FELA), and they helped to draft resolutions in support of Ethnic Studies at Riverside City College. They worked as a team to draft several resolutions at ASCCC in support of Ethnic Studies. Her leadership exemplifies her commitment to using education as a transformative tool to empower historically minoritized communities and promote liberation.

Professor Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in African and African American studies and history from Stanford University, a master’s degree in history from Brown University, and a master’s degree in history with a concentration in gender studies from UCLA. They are currently completing a master’s degree in Pan-African Studies from California State University, Los Angeles.