Lester K. Spence

Lester Spence is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University. His specialties include black politics, racial politics, urban politics, public opinion, and American political thought. His work has appeared in both academic journals (including the American Journal of Political Science, Political Research Quarterly, Political Analysis, the WEB Dubois Review, and the National Political Science Review), and in the popular press (Urbanite Magazine, Salon.com, Africana.com, TheRoot.com, the Washington Post, thegrio.com). His first book, Stare in the Darkness: The Limits of Hip-hop and Black Politics, was one of the first to examine the neoliberal turn and its effect on black politics.

The 2009 recipient of Johns' Hopkins prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award (given yearly to the best teacher as judged by faculty, staff, alumni, and students), Dr. Spence is known for his ability to not only explain complex information in ways that diverse populations can understand and appreciate, but also for his willingness to mentor students.