Acknowledgments
A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE
Holly E. BurgessWould like to thank:
HER DISSERTATION COMMITTEE
dIRECTOR:
Associate Professor of English,
Arizona State University
committee member:
Associate Professor of English, Literature and Languages Department,
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside
co-dIRECTOR:
Harry G. John Professor, Associate Professor of History, and Director of CURTO,
Marquette University
committee member:
Associate Professor, English,
Marquette University
Committee Scholarship
HER UNIVERSITIES
Marquette University's
English DepartmenT
*Currently at The University of Minnesota
Marquette University’s Graduate School
Marquette University’s Career Center
Marquette University’s raynor lIBRARY
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside's
Literature and Languages Department
Foundational Mentors
Dr. Jay McRoy
Dr. María del Carmen Martínez,
Dr. Teresa Coronado *
*(Currently Outreach and Development Director at Milwaukee Community Sailing Center)
HER Sponsors & Benefactors
Doctoral Fellowship Support
Special thanks to The Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation, the Cyril E. Smith Family Trust, and Marquette University's Diversity Fellowship, whose fellowships made her dissertation and doctoral degree possible.
Cyril E. SMITH FAMILY TRUST
Marquette University’s,
Diversity Fellowship Fund
Research & Travel Benefactors
Marquette University
The Smart Family Gift
The Bo and Candy Ellis Student Success Fund
(Shaka and Maya Smart)
Fund made possible by:
Marquette University (MU) Social Innovation Initiative
Public Libraries
Intellectual Ancestry
Special Thanks to my selected Black scholar-activists—Malcolm, Huey, Tupac, and Angie.
You are the inspiration for my work.
Thanks for being my intellectual ancestors.
The Architects
The Voice
The Narrator
HER PARENTS
lAURIE BURGESS
gREG BURGESS
Family & friends
Her family, friends, and everyone who has assisted her on her academic journey thus far.
Special Thanks to
Ms. Helen B. Smith
Thank You!Thank you all for your time, patience, and investment in Holly's future.
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Last updated: February 2026