My work began in African American communities in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. From there I moved to Austin, Texas for ten years where I served as Assistant and Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin. It was at the University of Texas that I was first introduced to outstanding graduate students who introduced me to a global array of cultural diversity, beginning with Chicano English in Texas, as well as matters of linguistic identity throughout the world.

¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý In 1987 it was my honor to spend a year at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, which was my first introduction to Stanford University, where I spent most of my career as Professor of Education and Linguistics. I am now Professor Emeritus at Stanford University; however, my current position at Washington University in St. Louis is on-going.

¬Ý¬Ý¬Ý Since 2005 it has been my unique distinction to serve as the Margaret Bush Wilson Professor in Arts and Sciences. I have also served as Director of African and African American Studies since then, in support of a mission to promote academic excellence regarding all fields of intellectual inquiry that pertain to the human and ecological condition of people of African descent throughout the Diaspora.