Lakeya (Omogun) Afolalu

Lakeya Afolalu is an Assistant Professor of Language, Literacy, and Culture, specializing in the intersections of immigration, language, literacy, race, gender, and identity. Raised between her Nigerian and African American cultures, her hybrid identity is reflected in her scholarship, which focuses on African youth. She draws from her lived experiences, the wisdom of her former middle school students, and the arts to transform static concepts about identity. 

Her research specifically explores the role of multilingualism and literacy, including digital literacies, in the identity formation of Nigerian immigrant and transnational youth across home, school, and digital spaces. She pays particular attention to how the United States' system of racialization and racial categories shape the construction and negotiation of identities. She also considers how gender, particularly girls' experiences, intersect with language and migration in shaping youth identities. Her interdisciplinary scholarship emphasizes the rich diversity within Black youth identities, languages, and literacies. 

Her academic scholarship has appeared in journals such as Teachers College Record, Journal of Literacy Research, and Research in the Teaching of English. It has also been supported by the National Council of Teachers of English and the American Educational Research Association. Her public scholarship has been featured in various publications, including TEDx, ESSENCE Magazine, and NPR Radio. Alongside her academic work, she actively supports the identities and well-being of youth of color through community-engaged literacy, multilingual, and arts education partnerships.