Staff
Daryl Black, Ph.D.
Program Director
Dr. Black is a Program Director for the Institute for Defense and Business, a role he has filled since joining the IDB Staff in June 2026.
A specialist in the intersection of war, society, and culture, Daryl has developed expertise in curriculum development, non-profit management, and audience-centered communication.
During the past twenty years, Daryl has led major historical organizations, including the Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and the Chattanooga History Center. His work has consistently focused on building partnerships and translating complex history into engaging learning experiences for diverse audiences.
Most recently, he served as a Copie Hill Civil War Fellow with the American Battlefield Trust, where he researched and wrote award winning public facing-content that reflected a combination of scholarly rigor, project leadership, and creative storytelling.
Earlier in his career, Daryl taught history and humanities at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Auburn University, and the University of California, Irvine where he developed courses, mentored students, and created collaborative learning environments. He has also published widely on Civil War memory, religion, and public history, and presented at major professional conferences. Through every role, he has been recognized for clear communication, strategic thinking, and a commitment to helping create opportunities for students to build new capacities as thinkers and actors.
Daryl earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine, his M.A. (Honors) from California State University, Long Beach, and his B.A. from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.