Dr. Jesse J. Hargrove is a retired educator, historian, poet, and public scholar whose work explores African American historical memory, constitutional belonging, and intergenerational narratives rooted in family history. After more than 45 years in education, he retired in 2025 following 26 years at Philander Smith University in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he served as a tenured Associate Professor of Spanish and Art and as an administrator. During his tenure, he taught courses in Spanish language, art, and social justice while mentoring students and encouraging them to develop critical intellectual frameworks for understanding history, culture, and civic responsibility.