Dr. Tomlinson is an Americanist, with a focus on African American History. Her research and writing areas include the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, Black Grassroots Activism, African American Women's Activism and Cultural Transformations in the African Diaspora. Her B.A. degree is in Communication Arts: Public Relations and she holds a Master of Liberal Arts in History, both degrees were completed at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. In addition she holds a doctorate in African and African American Studies from Clark Atlanta University (CAU) in Atlanta, Georgia.