General Information

Name: Charis Tucker

Hometown: Chesterfield, VA

Educational Background: East Carolina University

  • Bachelor’s degree: Elementary Education
  • Master’s degree: Adult Education; Sustainable tourism

Fun fact: Charis taught English in Shenzhen, China

MOST FUN:  She will be graduating in May with her PhD!!!!!

Dissertation Overview

Article 1: Black Travel Through the Lens of Legitimacy

*Published in Annals of Tourism Research

This article examines the evolution of Black travel between 1920-2020. Using three forms of Black print media, The Crisis, The Green Book, and Ebony magazine, I examined how travel was represented during Jim Crow, the Civil Rights era, and Black Lives Era. Additionally, I analyzed articles and advertisements to explore how the tensions between the socio-cultural norms and legislation impacted travel. The findings highlight the ways in which Black travelers engaged in the tourism industry largely through entrepreneurial endeavors as well as how they worked to disrupt institutions and systems by raising awareness of discrimination and participating in activism travel.

This work acknowledges the nuanced and often overlooked experiences of Black travelers. This work helps practitioners better understand this growing market segment and offers suggestions for building authentic relationships!

Article 2: Representation Matters: Measuring

*Published in Journal of Travel Research

In the second article, Charis pioneered a comprehensive measurement scale that has significantly contributed to the examination of a specific psychological dimension of legitimacy theory known as relational legitimacy. This particular dimension focuses on how well an organization (e.g., DMOs) affirms one’s social identity (e.g., race). This groundbreaking work expands the boundaries of knowledge in tourism literature and provides practitioners with specific details into how Black travelers evaluate the industry and its actions. For example, feeling appreciated, recognized, and seen by tourism offices was important to Black travelers. Additionally, Black travelers want to be represented in tourism related products and services. This work was the first to explore legitimacy and the social identity of race. Industry leaders can use the scale to explore how well their specific destinations are aligned with these categories. It would also be worth expanding its use to other marginalized groups.

Article 3: (working title) Online Allies? Exploring Black Travelers’ Perceptions of DMO Social Advocacy Statements

In recent years, organizations have been encouraged to make public statements about their stance on specific social issues. During the summer of 2020, organizations seeking to connect with the Black community, began posting racial justice advocacy statements to their social media pages. As one would imagine these efforts received a wide range of responses from the Black community. Charis realized that academic literature on this topic was missing a key element in the study of digital advocacy…the actual thoughts/opinions of those for whom these messages were meant. Therefore, Charis designed an experimental study to better understand which types of statements elicited higher rates of relational legitimacy among Black travelers. 

**Results from this study are forthcoming.

Personal statement about dissertation

This work has been powerful, thought provoking, and uniquely fulfilling. The skills I’ve gained will forever be a part of the toolbox I take with me after graduation. I am deeply committed to building upon the foundation of research I began at Virginia Tech.

Future Plans

Assistant Professor, University of Illinois

Department of Recreation, Sports, and Tourism

Awards

Doctoral Student Research Award, Pamplin College of Business

1st Place Nutshell Games sponsored by the Center for Communicating Science

              Link to speech: https://youtu.be/78H5j9iviDY

Pamplin Diversity Excellence Graduate Student Award

To connect with Charis: www.linkedin.com/in/ctucker24