Dr. Khalilah L. Brown-Dean is a visionary scholar, public leader, and civic advocate dedicated to building a more inclusive and participatory democracy. As the Rob Rosenthal Distinguished Professor of Civic Engagement and the inaugural Executive Director of the Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life at Wesleyan University, she brings over two decades of innovative academic leadership, civic engagement, and national policy impact. Her work bridges the gap between research, grassroots action, and policymaking, shaping conversations and strategies that drive real-world change. Whether in the classroom, on the airwaves, or in the community, she remains driven by a singular vision: to co-create a democracy that is vibrant, inclusive, and enduring.

A dynamic thought leader, Dr. Brown-Dean’s scholarship focuses on how identity influences access to democracy, justice, and representation. She is the author of Identity Politics in the United States (Polity Press, 2019) and co-author of Protesting Vulnerability: Race and Pandemic Politics (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming). Her expertise has been instrumental in shaping litigation and key reports, including a landmark study on voting rights in the United States presented at the 50th Anniversary of the Bloody Sunday March in Selma, Alabama.
Beyond academia, Dr. Brown-Dean is a powerful advocate for civic participation. She launched Party at the Polls, a voter engagement initiative that merges culture and democracy by enlisting local artists and creatives to inspire civic action. As a Senior Justice Advocacy Fellow for the Open Society Foundations, she championed justice reform efforts that centered the voices of those most impacted by harm and systemic inequities. Her leadership extends to national organizations such as the American Political Science Association, the National Association for Ethnic Studies, and the Prison Policy Initiative.
A sought-after media analyst, Dr. Brown-Dean is the award-winning host of DISRUPTED, a Connecticut Public Radio show and podcast that explores the forces shaping our world. In 2024, DISRUPTED earned the prestigious Gracie Award for Outstanding Talk Show from the Alliance for Women in Media. Her insights have appeared in NPR, The New York Times, MSNBC, and other major outlets, making her a trusted voice on issues of democracy, equity, and political engagement.
Her commitment to community impact is vast. As the former Board Chair of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Brown-Dean played a pivotal role in directing resources to meet urgent needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. She currently serves as a Trustee for New England Donor Services and a Director for the Connecticut Mirror.
Dr. Brown-Dean’s contributions have earned her numerous accolades including the Constance Baker Motley Award for excellence in leadership, the Fannie Lou Hamer Award for community engagement, and recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential African Americans in Connecticut by the NAACP. She has also been honored among the 25 Most Influential Women in Higher Education by Diverse Magazine. In 2025, Dr. Brown-Dean received the Spirit of Hope Award from the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.
Dr. Brown-Dean holds a B.A. in Government from The University of Virginia and a Ph.D. in Political Science from The Ohio State University. Dr. Brown-Dean is Past President of the Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and member of the New Haven Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and the Waterbury Chapter of The Links, Inc.