Bio
Dr. Shauna Rigaud is a cultural studies scholar whose work explores the intersections of race, gender, identity, and power within the African diaspora, with a particular focus on the anglophone Caribbean. A first-generation college graduate, her academic journey began at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she earned a B.A. in Afro-American History. She holds a dual Master’s in Gender/Cultural Studies and Communication Management from Simmons University in Boston and she completed her PhD in Cultural Studies from George Mason University, in Virginia.
With parents from Barbados and Haiti, Shauna describes herself as Boston born, but Caribbean raised. As a young person, she was committed to building community and creating change in the city. At 13, she sat on the Board of Boston Do Something, awarding $500 grants to other young people who had ideas to strengthen Boston communities. She facilitated trainings on the importance of youth voice in decision making capacities to her peers and adults. At 15, she was hired as a youth guide for an organization called MTOWN, leading tours about the history of communities of color and organizing in Boston. This experience became the catalyst for her passion for community development and history.
Her career has spanned both the non-profit sector and higher education. Shauna has worked in various community-based organizations managing programs and developing curriculum. Her accomplishments in youth work have been recognized by both the South End/ Lower Roxbury Youth Workers’ Alliance and Health resources in Action. As Assistant Director of Service-Learning at Simmons University, Shauna played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships between the institution and community-based organizations. Her work involved course development, diversity trainings, and student leadership development, enriching the learning experiences of students and promoting social justice values. At Clark University, Shauna facilitated diversity trainings, supervised student staff, and managed program budgets. Her leadership contributed to the success of cultural, social, and academic events that promoted inclusivity and student support.
Pursuing a PhD was an opportunity to marry her personal and professional passions. As a graduate student, Shauna continued to build community while pursuing her research interests. At George Mason University, she helped to established the Black Graduate Student Association. She received the Julie Owen Graduate Student award for Community Engagement, the Spirit of King Graduate Student Award and the Black Graduate Student of the Year award.
Shauna’s doctoral research delves into the postcolonial realities exhibited in Barbados' annual carnivalesque celebration, Crop Over. Her overall research interests include a focus on Black/Africana History, Caribbean Diaspora, Black feminism and Caribbean feminism and Postcolonial Theory. She is most interested in reconnecting the dotted lines between the Black American and Black Caribbean experiences.
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Shauna is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. She is also the co-founder of Mayhem246 a concierge company that specializes in providing entertainment experiences during Barbados’ Crop Over Festival.
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