Dr. Jason C. Méndez has over 20 years of experience in arts-based inquiry and praxis with a focus on digital media literacy, arts as wellness, critical pedagogy, and counter narratives. Jason earned a PhD in education with an emphasis in curriculum, culture, and change from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research centers community engagement and development through transformative community partnerships, creative social entrepreneurship, and storytelling. With an MFA in Creative Writing from Randolph College, Jason's writing weaves memory, culture, identity, and the concept of home.
Jason's creative work is published or forthcoming in Health Promotion Practice, Poetry Magazine, Revolute, Very Smart Brothas, and others. His research has been published in journals such as The Urban Review, Berkeley Review of Education, and the International Journal of Education and the Arts. In 2022, Dr. Méndez received the ”Boriquén Award” by the National Puerto Rican Agenda (NPRA) organization, which recognizes Puerto Ricans who maintained the Puerto Rican agenda in the forefront of their work and whose courage, determination, commitment to excellence, cultural pride or puertorriqueñidad, and remarkable achievements, opened doors for other Puerto Ricans to excel.
Currently, Jason is the Writer-in-Residence at the New Hazlett Theater where he is working toward debuting his new play, Sons of the Boogie; a second coming-of-age story about chasing dreams, self-discovery, and the Boogie Down BronX. In addition to his artistry, Jason is Co-founder and Executive Director of Block Chronicles; a digital literacy, arts, and research hub focused on examining social determinants of health with an emphasis on Education Access and Quality, Social and Community Context, & Neighborhood and Built Environment. Dr. Méndez has helped leaders and collaborated with organizations in strategizing and executing initiatives, curating exhibitions, and designing research approaches aimed at advancing equity and justice in education and the arts.