Dr. Dwayne R. Matthews

I’m Dr. Dwayne R. Matthews, a sociologist, educator, cultural strategist, and founder of Collect. Recycle. Thrift. (CRT). Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, my work connects Black cultural expression, community development, and the stories carried through music and everyday objects.

I earned my Ph.D. in Sociology from Howard University, a master’s in Community and Economic Development from the University of Central Arkansas, and a bachelor’s in Sociology from Norfolk State University. My research examines how race shapes the interpretation of rap lyrics as criminal evidence.

My approach also grew through service. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Malawi, I developed METHOD—Malawian Empowerment Through Hip-Hop and Organizational Development—using hip-hop to connect young people with health resources. I later brought community-based outreach to Peace Corps recruitment through an HBCU Barbershop Tour, and worked in federal grants management at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

CRT carries that curiosity into collecting. CD’s, Records, Tapes, vintage clothing, and printed material tell stories about creativity, identity, and place. Through collecting, teaching, and research, I work to keep those stories in circulation.