The People's Detective

Nicholas Louis Baham III is a Professor of Ethnic Studies at California State University East Bay where he teaches African American Studies and Genders & Sexualities in Communities of Color. Dr. Baham is the author of The Coltrane Church: Apostles of Sound, Agents of Social Justice (McFarland) and The Podcaster's Dilemma: Decolonizing Podcasters in the Era of Surveillance Capitalism (Wiley) among other academic books.

In 2024, Dr. Baham became the Newest Writer of Oakland, CA Noir Mystery and Detective Fiction with the publication of The People's Detective (Bootstrap Publications). Dr. Baham says, "My passion for writing has allowed me to impact people's lives in meaningful ways. I believe that the written word can be a powerful tool for change and activism. My academic writings reflect my deep commitment to equity, justice, and social change. My fictional works allow me to tell stories that explore themes of race, power, and identity. As a writer, I strive to engage my readers and provoke meaningful conversations that can lead to positive change." Born and raised in San Francisco, CA, Dr. Baham has resided in Oakland, California since 1996.