Charles Athanasopoulos is a writer, University professor, art reviewer, and Puerto Rican independence advocate.

As of Fall 2024, he serves as Assistant Professor of African American and African Studies & English at The Ohio State University.

Dr. Athanasopoulos primarily researches and teaches the intersection of Black rhetorics, media, and culture. In particular, his research and teaching focuses on the lived experience and resistance of Black folks in the U.S. & Puerto Rico.

His first book project, Black Iconoclasm: Public Symbols, Racial Progress, and Post/Ferguson America examines conflicting messages surrounding Black liberation in post/Ferguson America across activism, Black radical theory, communicative situations, cinema, and street art.

In addition to the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Dr. Athanasopoulos’ transnational research also encompasses the lived experience and resistance of Roma folks in contemporary Greece. Thus, his research reflects his own unique Afro-Nuyorican and Greek-Roma upbringing.

As an advocate, he co-founded the Puerto Rican Independence Party’s (PIP) diasporic Washington State chapter. He spent two years serving as President of PIP-WA organizing scholarly panels, teach-ins, fundraising efforts, and networking with other independentistas.

Dr. Athanasopoulos holds a B.A. from Wake Forest University in the Study of Religions as well as a M.A. & Ph.D. from University of Pittsburgh in Rhetoric & Communication.