Kyra D. Gaunt (Ph.D. 1997 University of Michigan, M.M. SUNY BInghamton, 1988), an esteemed ethnomusicologist, continues to make waves in arts and culture with her 2007 Merriam prize-winning book, “The Games Black Girls Play: Learning the Ropes from Double-Dutch to Hip-Hop.” In 2015, it was a catalyst for choreographer Camille A. Brown and Dancers’ Bessie Award-nominated performance, “BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play.” In 2020, The New York Times Parenting Section commissioned “The Magic of Black Girls Play,” which was selected as Editor’s Pick of the Day. She is featured in the ESPN-produced documentary short, “Black Girls Play,” directed by Rada Studio, which won at the Tribeca Film Festival.