Dr. Marvin P. King
Dr. Marvin P. King, Jr. is an associate professor of political science and African American Studies at the University of Mississippi, where he has spent nearly two decades teaching and writing about American politics, political inequality, African American politics, federalism, and the politics of the American South.
A frequent speaker to local civic organizations, King regularly engages public audiences on voting rights, race, democracy, and political empowerment. His interest in rhetoric focuses on the power of words to inspire collective action, establish shared civic identities, repair (or deepen) political divisions, and influence how Americans remember their history.
King has practical experience with rhetoric through producing talks as the Founding Organizer of TEDxUniversityofMississippi, several of which feature on the TED.com platform. In 2023, King organized an Inclusive Economies Roadshow, a statewide initiative promoting public dialogue about equitable economic development.
King’s work has appeared in journals including Politics & Policy, the Journal of Black Studies, and Publius. In 2026, King will publish two books, Mississippi’s Mess and The Politics of Stratification Economics, which explore how political decisions and economic institutions produce and sustain inequality in Mississippi and throughout the country. He has also served as an expert witness in federal redistricting litigation, providing research and testimony on race, voting, and political representation.
