Acknowledgments

A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE

Holly E. Burgess

Would like to thank:

HER DISSERTATION Director

Associate Professor of English,
Arizona State University

Arizona State University logo with maroon and gold colors and a sunburst design.
A large crowd of protesters holding signs during a march. Book cover for Dr. Cedric Burrows' Rhetorical Crossover.
A large crowd of protesters holding signs during a march. Book cover for Dr. Cedric Burrows' Rhetorical Crossover.

Book cover of Rhetorical Crossover by Dr. Cedric D. Burrows

HER undergrad

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Logo

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside's
​Literature and Languages Department

Foundational Mentors

Dr. Jay McRoy
Dr. María del Carmen Martínez,
Dr. Teresa Coronado *

*(Currently Outreach and Development Director at Milwaukee Community Sailing Center)

HER Sponsors & Benefactors

Special thanks to The Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation, the Cyril E. Smith Family Trust, and the Diversity Fellowship, whose fellowships made her dissertation and doctoral degree possible. 

Doctoral Fellowship Support

Cyril E. SMITH FAMILY TRUST

Diversity Fellowship

Research & Travel Benefactors

The Bo and Candy Ellis Student Success Fund
​(Shaka and Maya Smart)

Graduate Student Research Support Fund

Photo of Dr. Diane Long Hoeveler in her professional headshot.

The Writing Innovation Symposium

Women's Club Scholarship Fund

Student Professional Development Fund

Career Services Center Student Professional Development Fund Made Possible By:

Graduate School

Baird logo
U.S. Bank Logo
GE Health Care logo
Enterprise Mobility logo
Vierbicher logo

Public Libraries

Graham Public Library logo

Graham Public Library

Mercer County Library System logo

Mercer County library system

Intellectual Ancestry

Special Thanks to my selected Black scholar-activists—Malcolm, Huey, Tupac, and Angie.
You are the inspiration for my work.
​Thanks for being my
intellectual ancestors

The Architects

A headshot of Malcolm X in a dark suit and browline glasses, looking directly at the camera with a focused expression.
Color photograph of Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, speaking at a press conference behind a cluster of microphones.

The Voice

A vibrant close-up portrait of Tupac Shakur looking intently at the camera, capturing his influential role in hip-hop and cultural history.

The Narrator

Close-up photo of Angie Thomas with a joyful expression, wearing a black top with white sleeves against a soft, blurred background.

Her Parents

Photo of the author's mother, Laurie, smiling brightly and cupping her face with one hand.

Laurie Burgess

Photo of the author's father, Greg, smiling in a light blue button down and Chicago bears hat.

Greg Burgess

Her Family & Friends

Photo of the author's cockapoo, Presley, resting her head on a stack of Black Power books
Photo of the author and her family
Photo of the author and her mother and godmother, Phyllis
Photo of Helen B. Smith smiling and wearing sunglasses at the beach.

Special Thanks to Ms. Helen B. Smith

​Her family, friends, and everyone

who has assisted her on her academic journey thus far.

Thank You!

Thank you all for your time, patience,

and investment in Holly's future.

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Last updated: May 16, 2026