Niambi Carter

Niambi Carter
Born	1977 (age 48–49) Maryland
🏳️ Nationality	American
🎓 Alma mater	Temple University (B.A.) Duke University (Ph.D.)
💼 Occupation	Political scientist, author, media commentator
Known for	African American political behavior, immigration, race and political identity
Title	Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Maryland
🏅 Awards	W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award Full list

Niambi Michele Carter (born 1977) is an American political scientist, author, and media commentator. She serves as an associate professor of political science at the University of Maryland, where her research focuses on African American political behavior, public opinion, and immigration. Her book, American While Black: African Americans, Immigration, and the Limits of Citizenship, explores how Black Americans view immigration and how these perspectives intersect with race and national identity.

Early life and education

Carter was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies from Temple University, followed by a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in political science from Duke University in 2007. Her doctoral dissertation examined African Americans, immigration, and race, laying the foundation for her later scholarship.

Career

After completing her doctoral studies, Carter began her academic career as a visiting assistant professor at Duke University, where she taught courses in political science and contributed to research on African American political behavior. She then held a fellowship at Denison University, participating in initiatives to advance diversity in higher education.

In the years that followed, Carter served in faculty roles at Purdue University and Temple University, expanding her research on the intersection of race, immigration, and political identity. At Howard University, she was promoted to associate professor and served as Director of Graduate Studies, overseeing the department's advanced degree programs and mentoring graduate students.

In 2022, Carter joined the University of Maryland, College Park as an associate professor of political science and a faculty affiliate in African American Studies, continuing her scholarship on public opinion and the role of race in American politics.

Fellowships and affiliations

Early in her career, Carter was awarded a predoctoral fellowship from the Ford Foundation, supporting her research on race, representation, and political identity. She also participated in the Consortium for Faculty Diversity, a national program that prepares scholars for teaching and research roles in liberal arts environments.

She later became affiliated with the Center for the Study of African American Politics, contributing to interdisciplinary projects examining Black political behavior and public opinion. Her work in this setting emphasized the connections between political attitudes, policy preferences, and the broader context of African American civic engagement.

In 2024, Carter was selected as a Good Authority Fellow, a designation recognizing scholars whose public commentary effectively bridges academic research and civic discourse.

Legacy and impact

Carter's scholarship has been recognized for advancing the study of African American political behavior, public opinion, and immigration. Her book, American While Black: African Americans, Immigration, and the Limits of Citizenship, published by Oxford University Press, explores how African Americans view immigration and citizenship in the broader context of race in the United States. The work has been cited in research across political science, sociology, and African American studies, and is regularly assigned in university courses on race and politics.

In recognition of its scholarly contribution, the book received the W. E. B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, which honors outstanding works in Black political science. Carter's broader body of work continues to influence academic and public discussions on Black identity, immigration policy, and the meaning of citizenship in contemporary America.

Selected works

Carter, Niambi (2019). American While Black: African Americans, Immigration, and the Limits of Citizenship. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780190053543. Search this book on

Reception

• In Political Psychology, David L. Leal examined Carter's findings in the context of American public opinion on immigration, noting their value for understanding the relationship between racial identity and immigration attitudes among African Americans.
• Writing in the National Review of Black Politics, Najja K. Baptist described the work as a significant addition to literature on Black public opinion and immigration, highlighting its role in challenging prevailing assumptions in the field.
• Lauren Henley, in Not Even Past, described the work as an important contribution to scholarship on Black public opinion, with continued relevance to debates on race and immigration.
• Ethnic Studies Review praised the book for advancing understanding of how Black identity shapes perspectives on immigration policy.

Awards and honors

Year	Honor	Organization
2020	W.E.B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award for American While Black	National Conference of Black Political Scientists
2018	Centennial Fellow	American Political Science Association
2017	Summer Faculty Fellowship	Howard University
2015	APSA Congressional Fellowship (declined)	American Political Science Association
2013	Alternative Textbook Project Recipient	Temple University
2012	James Weldon Johnson Institute Visiting Scholar (declined)	Emory University

Media

Appearances

• C-SPAN: In 2018, Carter's televised interviews and expert commentary were featured and archived by C-SPAN.
• NPR: In 2009, Carter appeared on Tell Me More with Michel Martin to discuss challenges faced by highly educated Black women in the marriage market.
• Political Science Now: In 2017, Carter discussed her career path and academic work, including her leadership role at Howard University.
• PBS: In 2021, she discussed her academic journey and Black identity on The Journey.
• WUSA-9: In January 2025, Carter explained the context and pace of executive orders early in a presidential term.
• MSNBC: In 2025, Carter discussed the evolving dynamics of U.S. national identity and political polarization.

Print

• Wilson Center: In 2024, Carter wrote about the global dimensions of race and politics, emphasizing how African American experiences shape international dialogue.
• Good Authority: In 2023, Carter wrote about the historic rise of Black women in the United States Senate.
• The Washington Post: In 2020, she authored an opinion piece on the federal government's response to protests in Washington, D.C..
• CNN: In 2020, Carter commented on the 1985 MOVE bombing in Philadelphia and the city's apology.
• The Grio: "What we have to lose with Trump: Fair and compassionate immigration policy", August 19, 2020

See also

• African-American studies
• Black conservatism in the United States
• Political science

References

This article "Niambi Carter" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Niambi Carter. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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