Zachary Shackelford

Zachary Shackelford graduated Summa Cum Laude from UB with a Bachelor's in both Communications and African and African American studies.

I hold a Master's in American Studies. My current research interests are public transportation access and equity, with a lens on the intersections of race, mental health, and policing. In addition, I research Black Liberation movements with a focus on their potential for healing intergenerational trauma in communities of color.

I have been a presence for justice, healing, and community-building in Rochester, NY, as a leader of the grassroots organization B.L.A.C.K. and as an Americorp member working with the U of R and Rochester City School District. I was a Black council member 2021-22 and helped advocate for increased funding and hiring of new professors in our department. I volunteered at the Compass house for homeless teens 2018-2020 and the Healing Hub in 2022. I was an organizer in Buffalo's blm movements of 2020 for a brief time. Currently I am giving community presentations on transportation research (4 this year and counting).