Robbie R. Morganfield, Ph.D., Executive Director
Robbie R. Morganfield, Ph.D., is a former award-winning daily newspaper reporter and editor, who currently serves as executive director of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting. He joined the Society after serving as an Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at North Carolina A&T State University, where he successfully led the department to its first full accreditation after a site visit. Prior to that, Morganfield was the Cleo Fields Endowed Professor and Head of the Mass Communication Department at Grambling State University in Louisiana. Morganfield worked for newspapers in Ft. Lauderdale, Detroit, Tulsa, Houston and Ft. Worth, and previously taught courses in journalism and intercultural communication at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC, the University of Maryland at College Park, and Trinity Washington University. He served as executive director of the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University and Shaw Community Ministry in Washington, DC. He also was lead pastor of two congregations within the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church prior to taking his post at Grambling. Morganfield holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi, a master’s degree in public affairs journalism and educational policy and leadership from The Ohio State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Texas Christian University, and a Ph.D. in journalism and public communication from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is an avid sports and music aficionado and the proud father of one son, Gerard, who is a Morehouse College graduate. He can be reached at robbie.morganfield@morehouse.edu.
Arlette Hawkins, M.A., Program Manager
Arlette Hawkins is the program manager for the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting. She oversees programming and assists with web design and social media networking. Hawkins comes to the Society after serving as a content marketing associate for Spoonflower, where she updated the company’s blog and connected with potential contributors. Before that, Hawkins was a digital content producer for Pace Communications and a broadcast news producer at WFMY News 2 in Greensboro.
She also served as a production coach and adjunct professor at North Carolina A&T State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from A&T, graduating with honors. She later earned a master’s in interactive media from Elon University.
A Virginia native, Hawkins is passionate about helping students and emerging journalists grow fully into their careers and purpose. She is an innovator who believes, “If you don’t see it, create it,” and loves to take on new challenges. When she is not working, Hawkins loves to thrift shop, travel, and spend time with her friends and family. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She can be reached at arlette.hawkins@morehouse.edu.
Kawana Bowman, Project Manager
Kawana Bowman is the project manager for the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting. She oversees the organization’s administrative operations and spearheads special projects as assigned. Bowman is well respected and called upon for her ability to coordinate and skillfully bridge the communication gap between executives, management teams, and staff. She most recently held office administration positions in higher education at North Carolina A&T State University and Morgan State University. She also worked in the corporate sector for Home Towne Realty, Xerium Technologies, BTI, and Coldwell Banker. Bowman is a graduate of Strayer University with a bachelor’s degree in human resources management. She began pursuing an MBA at North Carolina A&T. She is a Pittsburgh native and a dedicated Steelers fan. She is passionate about her commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others through her work. She can be reached at kawana.bowman@morehouse.edu.
Julien C.E. Forrest, MPA, Finance & Grants Manager
Julien C.E. Forrest, MPA, joined the Ida B. Wells Society as a grants management specialist in fall 2023. He is a proud graduate of Hampton University, where he received his B.A. in political science and government. He later earned a Master of Public Administration at Clark Atlanta University, with a concentration in nonprofit leadership and grants management proposal/program design. While at Hampton, Forrest participated in broadcast political journalism for the 2016 Presidential Conventions with the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. Before joining the Society, he worked in the non-profit, government, and collegiate sectors to enhance minority representation and advancement in underrepresented places. He can be reached at julien.forrest@morehouse.edu.
