Bison Trailblazers | Drs. Jasmine Goodman and Brandale Mills Cox
by Imani Cabassa-George
A team of Howard doctoral alumni is a force to be reckoned with, as demonstrated by Drs. Jasmine Goodman and Brandale Mills Cox who are engaged in research to showcase the evolution of Black womanhood and love in Hollywood's big-screen productions. In an interview with The Sway, we meet these two Trailblazers, and hear the story of their collaboration and its academic impact.
Goodman and Mills Cox met at Howard in the fall of 2016 as students in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications’ Communication, Culture & Media Studies doctoral program. Through their time working together as Teaching Assistants in the department, they realized a shared research interest in Black women's representation in the media. The pair also found a commonality in cultural studies and pop culture, which laid the foundation for their eventual research collaboration informed by their lived experiences as Black women. In addition, their individual perspectives and passions for film and representation bring a critical approach to data collection.
The Sway: What exactly is the research area and what have you learned thus far?
Drs. Goodman and Mills Cox: Our research focuses on Hollywood and how it has been instrumental in the construction of Blackness on screen, often perpetuating myths, stereotypes, and negative images about the Black experience, showcasing Black people as aggressive, unloving, and incapable of maintaining a healthy romantic relationship. With more diversity efforts in Hollywood, Black women have become more empowered to reshape those narratives.
TS: When did you begin this collaboration and what is the timeline?
Drs. Goodman and Mills Cox: This collaboration has been a work in progress! We initially began the research in the Fall of 2021 and finalized the manuscript in December 2022. We presented the paper at the International Communications Association (ICA) in May 2022. We're currently revising the manuscript for publication.
TS: What are the public implications of this research? How do you plan to disseminate its findings and applications?
Drs. Goodman and Mills Cox: The findings illustrate an evolved representation of Black womanhood in addition to Black Love, highlighting how representations of Blackness on screen are becoming more nuanced and less stereotypical. This shift is positive for Black audiences who have been longing to see more positive representations on screen, setting the foundation for continued shifts. We're currently revising our manuscript to be resubmitted to the Critical Studies in Media journal where we hope to have it published soon.
TS: What talents/perspectives/approaches do you feel each of you contributes to this project?
Drs. Goodman and Mills Cox: As Black women, we both bring a perspective of understanding and analysis that speaks directly to our lived experiences.
Dr. Mills Cox: I believe I bring a passion for film and television which translates directly into consuming these images through a critical lens. This critical approach to data collection and analysis provides a unique understanding of the Black experience.
Dr. Goodman: In addition to my dissertation exploring the role of race and gender in the TV writers’ room, I also consult with entertainment companies wanting to create more representative and authentic content for diverse audiences. This blend of experience allows me to investigate this work through the lens of both scholar and practitioner.
TS: What do you feel are critical elements of a scientific/academic collaboration? (It seems like research these days is all about that, so do you have any advice?)
Drs. Goodman and Mills Cox: Scientific and academic collaborations are opportunities to push the boundaries of theoretical exploration. Our advice is to embrace collaboration across disciplines and be willing to ask tough questions. Those tough questions will help move your understanding, along with future knowledge production, forward.
TS: Do you have any future projects together?
Drs. Goodman and Mills Cox: We don't have anything scheduled to work on, but given our shared research interests, I'm sure there will be a collaboration in the future!