It is with deep sadness that NCAS-M shares the passing of Dr. Jimisha Iman Relerford on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Dr. Relerford faithfully served NCAS-M as Project Manager since 2022, and we hold her family, friends, students, and colleagues in our hearts during this profoundly difficult time.
Dr. Relerford was more than a project manager to NCAS-M; she was a cornerstone of our community. Her warmth, dedication, and quiet strength touched everyone she worked alongside. Jimisha’s impact is hard to overstate; she made tremendous contributions through her leadership, commitment to educational excellence, and unwavering support of students and partners nationwide. We often speak of NCAS-M as a transformation engine for our students. Jimisha was truly a transformation engine for NCAS-M itself.
Beyond her role at the Center, Dr. Relerford’s career at Howard University reflected a deep and enduring commitment to academic service. A proud alumna, she returned to her alma mater as a scholar and educator, serving in numerous capacities, including assistant director of the Writing Center, coordinator of the Graduate School’s Expository Writing Program, and master instructor in the Department of English. She spent nearly a decade pouring into her students, her scholarship, and her institution.
Her scholarly voice was equally powerful. A gifted researcher of African diaspora literature, African American rhetorics, and Black women’s humor and satire, Dr. Relerford brought both intellectual rigor and deep cultural care to her work. In December 2025, she defended her dissertation, “Sista Satirists: Black Women Writing Humor and Satire” — a testament to her brilliance and perseverance. Howard University will confer her Doctor of Philosophy degree posthumously at Commencement.
Beyond her impressive professional legacy, Jimisha will be remembered for her kindness and grace. She knew nearly everyone within NCAS-M and always took the time to connect on a personal level. She was a dear friend to many and will be deeply missed. Dr. Relerford leaves behind a legacy that will live on through the students she mentored, the scholarship she produced, and the community she helped build.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and the many members of the NCAS-M community who are grieving this loss.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 7 at 11 AM ET, in the Founders Library Browsing Room, and all are welcome to come and celebrate her life. Those unable to attend in person can register and join on Zoom here.
