Elijah Heyward III ’07 M.A.R.

Dr. Elijah Heyward III is an expert on African American history, popular culture, religion, and contemporary Gullah/Geechee culture. After graduating from Yale Divinity School, Dr. Heyward earned his Ph.D. in American Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill. During his time in Chapel Hill, he curated the show “Beyond Walls: Designs for 20th Century Murals at the Ackland Art Museum” and contributed to a traveling exhibition focused on the work of artist Ronald Lockett. He also served as the Chief Operating Officer of the International African American Museum in Charleston. Dr. Heyward’s resume also includes fundraising, arts production and management, and collaborative projects focused on cultural retentions and preservation.

 

Recently, Yale Divinity School welcomed Dr. Heyward back to campus for a screening and a panel discussion of After Sherman, a documentary for which he served as consulting producer. 

 

Dr. Heyward was the 2021 recipient of the Yale Divinity School Lux et Veritas award.