PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
An experienced linguistic professional and multimedia specialist in research and project coordination. Skilled in collaborating with diverse stakeholders, managing complex projects, and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competency. Effective communicator with solid multitasking abilities and expert proficiency in linguistic subfields.
SKILLS
Writing and Editing: Strong writing skills with expert grammar, syntax, and semantics; proficient in APA and LSA citation styles; able to write to diverse audiences
Curriculum Development & Instruction: Designed and delivered six course sections, developing syllabi, class activities, and assessments using Universal Design principles and Backward Design. Utilized Canvas Instructure to create accessible and engaging learning experiences.
Project Management: 4+ years managing multiple projects, establishing timelines, and meeting deadlines.
Communication & Cultural Competency: Effective oral and written communicator with diverse audiences to effectively deliver course content
Attention to Detail: Meticulous proofreading and editorial skills, ensuring accuracy in all tasks.
Technological Proficiency: Proficient in Canvas/Instructure, MS Office, Google Workspace, and statistical programs; quickly adaptable to new systems.
Cultural Competency: Experienced in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Research Interest Summary
Dissertation Focus: Developed a mixed method, interdisciplinary heuristic to study Black creativity and identity in Rap music lyrics in African American Language
Research Cluster
Sociolinguistics, Discourse Analysis, Poetics, Pragmatics, Ethnomusicology
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2024 – Present Adjunct Professor of Musicianship
MUNM 191: That’s the Joint History of Hip-Hop
2024 Adjunct Professor in Linguistics and Black Languages
LING 1000: Introduction to Linguistics
LING 1253: Language and the Black Experience
2021 – 2022 Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Pittsburgh
LING 1267: Aspects of Sociolinguistics (FA 2021, SP 2022)
LING 1263: Cross-Cultural Communication (SU 2022, SU 2023)
2020 – 2021 Graduate Teaching Associate, University of Pittsburgh
LING 1000: Introduction to Linguistics (FA 2020, FA 2020)
LING 1579: Phonology (SP 2021)
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Jan 2025 – Present Senior Social Scientist | U of Pittsburgh
Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) – Director Dr. Kyaien Conner and Associate Director Ron Idoko
Focused on securing external grants, developing innovative curricula for the Racial Equity Consciousness Institute (RECI), and contributing to the editorial team for the Journal of Race and Social Problems.
Aug 2023 – Present Founder & CEO | Lexycal Multimedia
Lead a multimedia company dedicated to showcasing Black identity and creativity through photography, videography, and digital media.
Provides event photography, headshots, and branding materials, including flyers, social media content, event signage, invitations, and logos.
May 2024 – Dec 2024 Research Asst. | U of Pittsburgh
Provided editorial and administrative support for the Center on Race and Social Problems’s research journal.
Reduced backlog by finding reviewers for articles and managing correspondence with authors and editors regarding submissions
Contributed to the planning and execution of center events and workshops
July 2022 – Dec 2024 Localization Consultant | SIDE Global
(Remote) Collaborated in building a voice assistant by undertaking tasks such as proofreading, annotating, transcribing words, ensuring quality checks, and leveraging linguistic-centered skills.
July 2023 – April 2024 Grad Researcher | U of Pittsburgh
Supervised undergraduate researchers, increasing AAVE transcription tasks in the Archive of Pittsburgh Language and Speech by 50% for the Computational Sociolinguistics Lab under Dr. Dan Villarreal
Supervised undergraduate researchers who completed data coding for the Jamaican Creole Prosody Lab under Dr. Shelome Gooden
Managed qualitative research tasks and collaborated on study results with supervisors
Aided in managing weekly lab schedules and led lab meetings to plan and perform research tasks
August 2021 – June 2023 Graduate TF | U of Pittsburgh
Taught remotely and in-person, adapting teaching methods as needed
Educated students on sociolinguistics and cross-cultural communication
Created curriculums, established timelines, and maintained positive student-teacher relationships through cultural competency
EDUCATION
2024 Ph.D. Linguistics (ARCO: Sociolinguistics), University of Pittsburgh
Dissertation: What’s the Deal Forreal: Rap Music’s Sociolinguistic Story
2022 Master of Arts Linguistics, University of Pittsburgh
2019 Bachelor of Arts English (Minor: Philosophy), Tuskegee University
PUBLICATIONS
Conner, K. O., Abusuampeh, D. K., Kosyluk, K., Tran, J. T., Davis-Cotton, D., Hill, A. M., & Brown, A. P. (2024). Mitigating the Stigma of Mental Illness: The Impact of Story-Telling in the Black Community. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(11), 1473. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111473
Book Reviews
Brown, A. (2022, April). Tracey L. Weldon, Middle-Class African American English. Language in Society 51(2).
Brown A. Tracey L. Weldon, Middle-Class African American English. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2023. Pp. xvii + 271. ISBN 9780521719667 (pb). English Language and Linguistics. Published online 2025:1-5. doi:10.1017/S136067432400056X
Dissertation
What’s the Deal Forreal: The Sociolinguistic Story of Rap Music. (2024), [Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh]. http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/45771/
Manuscript in Submission
Brown, A. (upcoming). Aren’t We All Jane 57821?: Imagining a Future Through a Dirty Computer. In D. Dubuisson (Ed.), Black Futures in the Anthropocene.
Manuscripts in Preparation
Brown, A. Generative Rap: The case of sampling. Manuscript. 40 Pages.
Brown, A. Black American Rap and Jamaican dancehall: An ecological exploration of diachronic cross-cultural contact through music. Manuscript. 17 pages.
Brown, A. The Meaning of Pittsburgh: Deixis in Mac Miller’s “Frick Park Market”. Manuscript. 19 pages.
Brown, A. Hip Hop Feminisms, #HotGirlSummer, and Black Feminine Public Imagery in Rap Music: An Overview of Black feminist theorizing, Theory and theory. Manuscript. 20 pages.
Brown, A. Who They Be: The chronotopic multiverse of Rap music. Manuscript. 63 pages.
PRESENTATIONS
Oral Presentation
Brown, A. (2018). Rape culture in the Black community: Why is it happening: What is it causing?. 2nd Annual History Research Symposium at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL. February 15-16.
Brown, A. (2019). Multicultural education: The opposition to standardization and eurocentric teachings within the American education system. 3rd Annual History Research Symposium at Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL. February 14-15.
Brown, A. (2022). Black American Rap and Jamaican dancehall: An ecological exploration of diachronic cross-cultural contact through music. American Dialect Society Conference at Washington, D.C. January 6-9.
Invited Panel Participant
Kanwit, M., Nonnenmacher, S., & Brown, A. (2020). Finding success as a graduate student: Balancing independence and available resources [Panel]. Linguistics Colloquium Series at University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. August 29.
Refereed Panel Presenter
Brown, A. (2021). The meaning of Pittsburgh: Deixis in Mac Miller’s “Frick Park Market”. In S. Kiesling (Chair), The poetic function and social meaning in language [Panel]. 17th International Pragmatics Conference, Winterthur, Switzerland. June 27 – July 2.
Brown, A. (2021). Generative Rap: The case of sampling. In A. Clemons (Chair), Language lives on the body [Panel]. New Ways of Analyzing Variation NWAV49, Austin, TX. October 19-24.
INVITED LECTURES
2024
How can you study rhythm and rhyme structures in Rap Music?
Phonology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
2023
Who They Be: The Chronotopic Multiverse of Rap Music
Introduction to Linguistics, Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA
2022
Black American Rap and Jamaican Dancehall: An Ecological Exploration of Diachronic Cross-Cultural Contact Through Music
Aspects of Sociolinguistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Black American Rap and Jamaican Dancehall: An Ecological Exploration of Diachronic Cross-Cultural Contact Through Music
Cross Cultural Communication, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
2021
Popularity of Jamaican Dancehall in American Rap Music: An Ecological Approach
Language & The Black Experience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS
2023 – 2024
TA/TF Linguistics Department Mentor [$100]
University of Pittsburgh
2022 – 2023
Andrew W. Mellon Predoctoral Fellow [$25,000]
University of Pittsburgh
2021
Humanities Engage Curriculum Development Opportunity Awardee [$1,000]
University of Pittsburgh
2019 – 2020
K. Leroy Irvis Fellow, [$25,000]
University of Pittsburgh
UNIVERSITY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
September 2023 – March 2024
TTS Search Graduate Student Representative, Department of Linguistics, University of Pittsburgh
Advocated for graduate student needs and contributed to inclusive hiring practices
Helped conduct interviews and find sources to disseminate the job ad in the early stages of the hiring process
August 2021 – May 2022
Colloquium Co-Chair, Department of Linguistics, University of Pittsburgh
Organized discussions and presentations on research and professional development
Ensured smooth program operations through effective stakeholder communication
August 2020 – May 2022
Graduate Student Faculty Representative, Department of Linguistics, University of Pittsburgh
Liaised between graduate students and faculty, advocating for further adherence to diversity initiatives and support for graduate students
MEDIA INTERVIEWS
Brown, Alexus. (2021, July 23). Interview by Nicklas Balboa. The CreatingWE® Institute. Online Article.
Brown, Alexus. (2020, November 6). Interview by Jenny Zhu and Victoria Ren. Stuff We Don’t Learn in School. Podcast.
Brown, Alexus, & Branson, Dominique. (2023, August 10). Interview by Aischa Sane. RadioFM4. Radio Broadcast.
Brown, Alexus, & Christine Camacho (2025, March 15). Dr. Alexus Brown: Bringing Her PhD to the People. SITI Girl Pittsburgh Magazine. https://sitigirlpgh.com/dr-alexus-brown-bringing-her-phd-to-the-people/
ALEXUS P. BROWN, PH.D. 