Program: MA, United States History w/ Minor in Public History
Email: lobrien1@luc.edu
MA in History with Minor in Public History, Loyola University Chicago, 2014-Present
BA in Black Studies, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2010- 2014
My research interests are in 20th Century U.S. History with an emphasis in multiracial identity. I am particularly interested in the ways that multiracial individuals negotiate their dual identities amongst binary racial color lines. Furthermore, I would also like to examine the historical representation of mixed race individuals in media and visual art culture that serve to challenge the stigmatization of blackness.
My broader historical interests include Black history, multicultural social justice, women and gender history, education and public history.
Cities of Peace Education Program Assistant, Jane Addams Hull House Museum (August 2015- Present)
Museum Registrar/Collections Intern, Loyola University Museum of Art (May 2015- Present)
Education Intern, Art Institute of Chicago (June 2015- August 2015)
Graduate Assistant, Seizing Opportunities for Academic Resiliency, Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, Loyola University of Chicago (May 2015- August 2015)
Education Intern, Jane Addams Hull House Museum (January 2015- May 2015)
Student Curator/User Group Coordinator, University of California at Santa Barbara Multicultural Center (May 2013- June 2014)
Curatorial/Education Intern, Casa Dolores: Center for the Popular Arts of Mexico (August 2013-December 2013)
Curatorial Intern, The Grammy Museum (June 2013- August 2013)
Program Instructor, United Way of Santa Barbara- Fun in the Sun Program (June 2012- August 2012)
Program Instructor, African- American Male Achievers Network, Inc. (June 2011- September 2011)
Creator, Dr. Harriet Alleyne Rice Alternative Label, Jane Addams Hull House Museum, Chicago, IL
October 2015- Present
Writing museum label about the first African-American resident of Hull House for Alternative Labeling Project. The Alternative Labeling Project asks “Can a common museum label—so often the omniscient voice that provides factual evidence that identifies art facts and objects in a museum’s collection—sensually engage us, inspire revolution and reform, or provide pleasure and comfort?” The series explores these questions through its presentation of diverse voices and encourages visitors to view history from a fresh perspective.
Contributor & Researcher, Cities of Peace Curriculum Development Taskforce, Chicago, IL
September 2015- Present
Designing high school curriculum about the history of structural and interpersonal violence and resistance in Chicago and Cambodia. The goal of this inquiry-to-action toolkit is meant to encourage students and teachers to think critically about harm and genocide and foster environments for resistance, transformation and healing in homes, schools and communities.
Co-Creator, Chicago Humanities Festival Art & Social Justice Tour, Jane Addams Hull House Museum, Chicago, IL
October 2015- November 2015
In collaboration with the Chicago Humanities Festival, co-created public tour that highlights Hull House’s history in advocating for greater access to artistic and educational opportunities in order to create a more just and civic environment.
Creator, Public Health Tour, Jane Addams Hull House Museum, Chicago, IL
September 2015- November 2015
In collaboration with UIC African-American Cultural Center, designed public tour that explores the intersections of public health, race, gender, and class within Hull House history. Founded in 1889 as a social settlement, Hull-House functioned as a site for organizing, direct service, and advocacy around issues of hygiene, sanitation, occupational health, and reproductive justice.
Co-Creator, Vernacular Architecture Tour, Jane Addams Hull House Museum, Chicago, IL
September 2015- October 2015
Co-created architecture tour of the Hull House settlement in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Biennial, the first of its kind in North America. The Chicago Architecture Biennial provides a platform for groundbreaking architectural projects and spatial experiments that demonstrate how creativity and innovation can radically transform our lived experience.
Contributor, Mary Jane Patterson, Biographical Database of Militant Woman Suffragists, 1913-1920
September 2015- October 2015
The editors of Women and Social Movements in the United States invited women's history faculty, students and independent scholars to join a crowdsourcing experiment. Contributed to experiment by writing biographical sketch of Mary Jane Patterson, the first African-American woman to receive her bachelor’s degree.
Researcher, “Look at it this Way,” Online Exhibition, Jane Addams Hull House Museum, Chicago, IL
February 2015- April 2015
Assisted with online exhibition by researching featured objects within the museum’s collection. “Look at it this Way” invites artists and educators to collaborate in order to expand traditional ideas of expertise, bringing new knowledge and meaning to artifacts at the museum.
Interviewer, Anne Coggs Smith, Chicago Area Women’s History Council Oral History Project
October 2014- December 2014
Conducted an interview for the CAWHC Oral History project "Documenting Women's Activism and Leadership in the Chicago Area, 1945-2000." The goal of the project is to provide the first comprehensive survey of significant Chicago area personalities, issues, organizations, actions, institutions, legislative initiatives and cultural innovations that contributed to change during this exciting period in the city's history.
Co-Creator, “Crossroads & Cobblestones: The History of Glenwood Avenue Arts District”
Rogers Park/ West Ridge Historical Society, Chicago, IL
October 2014- December 2014
Co-created walking tour that shares and celebrates the history of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District located in the Rogers Park/ West Ridge neighborhood.
Curator, “Visions of Love, Respect, & Justice.” UCSB Multicultural Center, Santa Barbara, CA
September 2013-June 2014
Curated and managed collaborative black board project that encouraged students to go beyond imagining change and create solutions for transforming reality. The project allowed students to express their personal visions for a more just future through art, language, and performance.
Research Assistant, Dr. Ingrid Banks and Dr. Gaye T. Johnson, UCSB Black Studies Department,
Santa Barbara, CA
June 2013- June 2014
Researched the presence of women of color in the film industry and international film festivals. Other duties included electronically cataloging and organizing data to help build an online film database.
2015-2016 Media Coordinator, History Graduate Student Association, Loyola University Chicago
2015-2016 Master Mentor, Achieving College Excellence, Loyola University Chicago
2015-Present Intern, Oral History Project, Hyde Park Historical Society
Fall 2015 Moderator, History Graduate Student Association Conference, Loyola University Chicago
Summer 2015 Facilitator, “Whose Streets? Our Streets! Art & Spatial Justice in the Urban Environment” Teacher’s Institute
Fall 2014 Paper Judge, History Graduate Student Association Conference, Loyola University Chicago
2014-2015 Marketing/Publicity Co-Chair, Kaleidoscope, LUCES Women of Color Journal
Fall 2015 Member, LUCES Women of Color Retreat Committee, LUC Department of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
2012- 2015 Member, Multicultural Center Executive Board, University of California, Santa Barbara
2012- 2015 Co-Chair- Multicultural Center Council, University of California, Santa Barbara
2013- 2014 Co-Founder, United Way Student Club, University of California, Santa Barbara
2013-2014 Co-Chair- Black Graduation, University of California, Santa Barbara
Spring 2013 Coordinator, “Pushing Forward- Social Justice Conference,” UCSB Multicultural Center
2012-2013 Mentor, Dr. Clyde Wood’s Mentorship Program, University of California, Santa Barbara
2012- 2013 Co-Chair, Akanke Black Women’s Organization, University of California, Santa Barbara
2011- 2012 Community Service Chair, Black Student Union, University of California, Santa Barbara
2010- 2011 Freshman Representative, Black Student Union, University of California, Santa Barbara
2015- Present Phi Alpha Theta
Spring 2015 Leader of LUCES Award, Department of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Loyola University of Chicago
Spring 2014 Lorraine Hansberry Award in Academic Excellence and Service, Black Studies Department, UCSB