Charleston Yanders Background
Charleston Yanders is a higher education scholar-practitioner and doctoral student in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies at Howard University. A first-generation student from Union City, Tennessee, his academic and professional journey is shaped by a deep commitment to equity, belonging, and institutional transformation. His work centers the lived experiences of queer Black men in higher education, with particular attention to HBCUs, LGBTQ+ identity, leadership, visibility, student success, and professional belonging. Through research, advising, teaching, writing, and workshops, Charleston examines how queer Black men navigate institutions, build community, confront bias, and pursue leadership in spaces that have not always fully recognized their identities or contributions. His work calls for colleges and universities to move beyond symbolic inclusion and create policies, practices, and cultures where queer Black men are seen, supported, affirmed, and able to thrive.
About the Research
This work examines Black queer experiences, belonging, leadership, and institutional change in higher education, with particular attention to HBCUs and LGBTQ+ communities.
Explore the Research
Through publications, workshops, presentations, and resources, this work connects research to practice in ways that support inclusive campus climates and professional belonging.
Centering Queer Black Men in Higher Education
This work examines how queer Black men navigate higher education spaces, particularly within HBCU contexts, where identity, visibility, belonging, and leadership often intersect. By centering their lived experiences, this research challenges institutions to move beyond surface-level inclusion and create environments where queer Black men are affirmed, supported, and positioned to thrive.
“This work centers queer Black men in higher education to reimagine campuses as spaces of affirmation, belonging, leadership, and institutional change.”
Charleston Yanders, M.S.Ed, Ph.d Student