-Professor William J. Connell, Seton Hall University Seton Hall University,
-Professor Michele Deramo, Virginia Tech,
-Dr Matteo Brera,
-Dr Teresa Russo, Boca Raton Museum of Art
Dr. Matteo Brera (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Research Fellow, Università degli Studi di Padova/Seton Hall University) presented an intriguing paper at the Italian American Studies Association conference at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. His talk, "Crossing the Racial Divide: The Italian Language Press and the Making of Italian Whiteness in Jim Crow Alabama," explored how Italian language periodicals in Alabama (1920–1940) like Il Gladiatore, L’Aquila and the Columbus-Balbo review shaped Italian American identity in a racially divided South. By examining under-studied Italian sources, Dr. Brera shed light on how Italian communities navigated stereotypes, racial barriers, and their place in American society.
This vital research redefines our understanding of Italian American identity, race, and resilience while bringing back to light and preserving invaluable Italian language newspapers published in the US South between 1880 and WWII (and beyond).
-Dr Alan Gravano, IASA - Italian American Studies Association
-Dr Matteo Brera
-Professor Donna Chirico, York College / CUNY
-Professor Ryan Calabretta-Sajder, University of Arkansas
-Professor George Guida, City Tech CUNY
