Trinity is proud to announce that Dr. Kimberly Monroe, Associate Professor of Global Affairs, together with student co-authors Anastasia R. Tomlinson, Shakeelah M. Ali, and Anna Sumner ’26, has published a peer-reviewed chapter in The Contributions of Black Women in International Affairs (IGI Global). The chapter, “Reimagining International Affairs Education Through the Leadership and Voices of Black Women,” makes the case for a more inclusive vision of global education.

Traditional International Relations scholarship, the authors argue, has been shaped by Western theories of power and military competition that overlook colonized peoples and communities of color — even as Black women long advanced human rights, decolonization, and racial equality on the world stage. Drawing on Africana Womanism and intersectional perspectives, they argue that centering Black women’s contributions, through curriculum reform, mentorship, global partnerships, and institutional accountability, can cultivate globally conscious leaders and reimagine global leadership as more inclusive and justice-oriented.

“Not many undergraduates can say they have published a peer-reviewed book chapter before graduating or beginning graduate school,” Dr. Monroe said. “It was a privilege to mentor Trinity students through this collaborative project, which reflects the kind of meaningful scholarship and community-engaged research we value at Trinity.”

For Anastasia R. Tomlinson, the subject was personal. A junior majoring in Politics and Policy with a minor in Public Health, she serves as president of Trinity’s Black Student Alliance, where she has worked to create a safe space and pool resources for Black women on campus. Her advocacy already reaches from nuclear policy reform to UN reform to reframing housing inequities as barriers to health justice.

“Contributing to this chapter has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my academic journey,” Shakeelah said. “As an undergraduate student, collaborating on research that highlights the leadership and contributions of Black women in international affairs reinforced the importance of ensuring that historically underrepresented voices are recognized in both scholarship and policy. I hope this work inspires future students and scholars to continue challenging traditional narratives and broadening perspectives within the field of international affairs.”

All three came to the work through Trinity’s Global Affairs program, an interdisciplinary major that draws on history, political science, economics, and languages to prepare students to navigate, serve, and lead on a global scale. Students complete career-focused mentorship courses and hands-on experiences that have ranged from Capitol Hill internships to United Nations and Organization of American States delegations. As authors published in a peer-reviewed volume, Anastasia, Anna and Shakeelah exemplify the high-caliber education and rigorous academic preparation that Trinity’s Global Affairs program provides to its students.

Have news to share? Please email creative@trinitydc.edu with a brief summary and your contact info so we can connect.