About Me

My journey as an anthropologist specializing in Afro-Mexican studies began in 1991, sparked by curiosity during a study-abroad program in Mexico City. Since then, I’ve dedicated much of my professional life to exploring the lives, histories, and identities of Afro-descendant populations, especially in Mexico’s Costa Chica region.

I earned my Ph.D. in Anthropology from Stanford University in 2001, and have since worked extensively on themes of race, identity, mestizaje, and the social dynamics that have historically marginalized Afro-Mexicans within Mexican national discourse. My work has aimed to document these communities respectfully, critically, and authentically, examining how race and identity are constructed, experienced, and navigated across borders.

Currently, I serve as Professor of Anthropology and as Director of the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California. Over the years, I’ve taught a diverse range of courses, including Cultural Anthropology, Latin American Area Studies, Sports in American Society, Latin American Cultures, and specialized topics like Race & Ethnicity, Mestizaje, and the experiences of Afro-Latino and Afro-Mexican communities.

Beyond my academic pursuits, my wife and I co-own Evergreen Dorrington Chalet and Cottage, a small vacation rental business nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains near Arnold, California. We take pride in providing welcoming spaces for families to enjoy nature and relax in comfort.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my wife and our two daughters. Outside of academic life, I enjoy riding motorcycles, cheering on the San Francisco 49ers, dancing to salsa music, nurturing an ever-growing collection of houseplants, perfecting my home espresso, and exploring California’s great outdoors.

This website serves primarily as an archive of my research, writing, and photography. If you’re interested in my work or have inquiries, feel free to reach out via the Contact page.

Thanks for visiting and learning more about my work and journey.