Jemayne Lavar King

Jemayne Lavar King, PhD, serves as the Founding Director of The Institute of Hip-Hop and Cultural Studies and an Associate Professor of English at Virginia State University since July 2021. With extensive experience in academia, Jemayne previously held the position of Assistant Professor of English and Black Studies at Johnson C. Smith University from August 2006 to July 2021, and worked as Upward Bound Dorm Director/Instructor at Saint Paul's College from 1997 to 2008. Additionally, Jemayne owns and presides over Sole Food Brand, which focuses on sneaker culture and its literary and fashion narratives. Educational credentials include a Doctor of Philosophy in Literary Criticism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in English Literature from Virginia State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English/News Media from Elizabeth City State University.