Closing the Doctoral Gap: Urgent Steps to Boost Black Male PhD Attainment in Western Academia

A doctorate is the highest academic qualification one can obtain in a field of study. This includes honorary doctorates as well as doctorates obtained through research programs. It denotes knowledge and authority in a particular domain. Nothing inspires more than witnessing a Black man of African descent cross the stage to receive a doctorate degree when graduation season rolls around. Other black men of African descent see it as a shockwave of pride and accomplishment. Men of African descent and Black men have lagged behind in achieving this degree of academic rank over the years. A desire of mine has always been to be able to cross a university graduation receiving My dream, and the dream of countless other men of African descent, is to earn a doctorate. Tajay Francis, a young black boy of mixed-race ancestry from Kitson Town, Jamaica, grew up in poverty while watching his parents do everything in their power to help him achieve this goal. However, despite all the advancements made throughout history, it may seem that in 2024 we are still lagging behind, with only a small percentage of our brothers reaching this final level of academic status in comparison to other races and ethnic groups

Malcolm X, a civil rights activist who was killed on February 21, 1965, would have had that as his desire. Sadly, his voice was permanently silenced, preventing him from living to a time when he could have given commencement addresses to countless young black men of African origin who were graduating with advanced master's or doctoral degrees. Malcolm X's impact on the lives of young black males could only have been greater had his life not been taken in the way that it was. These days, we witness black males like actor, union organizer, lawyer, and single father Hill Harper, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, campaigning in his own unique way for the scholastic achievement of black men. I write every column item I sit down to write with all my heart, as though I might never be able to write another thought-provoking piece. This is because I want to leave this world a little bit better than when I found it. I also want my work, finished or not, to be preserved for future generations of young Black men of African descent to see and read in the archives and libraries documenting our common experience as Black men. In the same manner as Marcus Garvey and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Readers will see all the pertinent data that emphasizes Black men earning doctorates in this column. all the studies that highlight the amount of work still to be done and the various factors influencing our success in highly specialized academic subjects. We will also examine the steps that society needs to take to reverse the existing patterns regarding the academic education of Black men.

Black men are underrepresented among those obtaining doctorates:

A report on "Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities" published by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2020 states that 1,444 (3.3%) of the 43,511 doctorates given in the country were to Black or African American men. This demonstrates that there are documented surveys and research proving the validity of the idea just among Black men in the US. A little over 2.2% of research doctorates conferred in the United States in 2020 went to Black or African American men, according to the National Science Foundation's 2022 report on doctorate winners. The persistent differences in higher education attainment between various racial and ethnic groupings are illustrated by this figure.

As stated by the Black Male Researchers and Professors Collective (BMPRC), Black people obtained 5.6% of all doctorates in 2019. Merely 35.7% of all Black doctorate recipients were men. Over the previous ten years, there has been no change in the gender disparity in African American doctoral degree awards. As a result, the number of Black professors is low. According to the Vice-Chancellor's report to the Council 2022-2023, just 31.4% of all students at the University of West Indies, a university located in the Caribbean, are men. Nevertheless, a breakdown of recipients by race or ethnicity is not provided by the report.

Black people's academic paths have been permanently altered by the legacy of institutional racism in education. The historical context is important to understand because it includes things like economically disparate barriers. Access to high-quality education has proven to be disproportionately difficult for Black men in particular. The stark underrepresentation of Black men in PhD programs is one way that these injustices' legacy is still present. Even with advancements in civil rights, reaching the highest level of academic success is still difficult.

Corrective Actions for Enhancing Black Male Representation in Doctoral Programs:

The majority of students in higher education are still white men, especially those pursuing doctorates. This column examines the various remedial measures that the West needs to take in order to guarantee that Black men are not only represented in PhD programs, but also succeed in them. Systemic changes, financial assistance, community empowerment, mentoring, and academic culture adjustments are all part of the answers

Addressing Systemic Barriers

The journey to a doctoral degree begins long before the graduate application process. Structural inequalities in primary and secondary education set the stage for disparities in higher education. Schools in predominantly Black and low-income neighborhoods often suffer from underfunding, which translates to fewer resources, larger class sizes, and limited access to advanced coursework. To counteract this, significant investment in the education infrastructure of underserved communities is essential. This includes:

1. Equitable Funding for Schools: Governments must ensure that schools in Black communities receive funding comparable to those in more affluent areas. This includes modern facilities, updated textbooks, and access to technology.
2. Teacher Training and Support: Teachers in these schools should receive robust training in culturally responsive pedagogy and be provided with continuous professional development opportunities.
3. Early Exposure to Research: Initiatives that expose students to research and academic careers from an early age can inspire and prepare them for future doctoral studies. Summer programs, research internships, and science fairs are crucial.

Community Empowerment and Support Networks

Community support plays a vital role in fostering academic aspirations. Black men need to see role models who have traversed the path to doctoral success. Community-based programs and organizations can provide:

1. Mentorship Programs: Establishing mentorship programs that connect Black doctoral students and professionals with young Black men can provide guidance, encouragement, and practical advice.
2. Academic and Career Counseling: Accessible counseling services that offer personalized academic and career planning can help students navigate the complex pathway to doctoral programs.
3. Parental and Community Involvement: Engaging parents and community leaders in the educational process helps build a support system that values and encourages academic achievement.

Financial Support and Scholarships

The financial burden of doctoral education is a significant barrier for many Black men. To alleviate this, targeted financial support is necessary:

1. Scholarships and Fellowships: Creating and expanding scholarships and fellowships specifically for Black men can reduce the economic barriers to pursuing doctoral studies.
2. Paid Research Opportunities: Providing paid research assistant positions and internships can offer financial support while also giving students valuable experience and professional connections.
3. Loan Forgiveness Programs: Implementing loan forgiveness programs for those who commit to careers in academia or research can reduce the long-term financial risks associated with doctoral education.

Institutional Reforms

Higher education institutions must actively work to create inclusive environments that support Black doctoral students:

1. Diversity and Inclusion Offices: Universities should have dedicated offices focused on promoting diversity and inclusion. These offices can offer resources, support services, and advocacy for Black students.
2. Curriculum Revisions: Incorporating diverse perspectives and authors into the curriculum can help create a more inclusive academic environment.
3. Bias Training and Awareness: Regular training on implicit bias and cultural competency for faculty and staff can foster a more welcoming and supportive atmosphere for Black doctoral students.
4. Recruitment and Retention Strategies: Institutions must implement targeted recruitment strategies to attract Black men to doctoral programs and provide retention support such as peer networks, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

Cultural Shifts in Academia

Finally, there must be a cultural shift within academia to value and uplift the contributions of Black scholars:

1. Representation Matters: Increasing the number of Black faculty members can provide role models and mentors for Black doctoral students. Institutions should actively recruit and support Black faculty.
2. Recognizing Diverse Research: Academic institutions should broaden their recognition of diverse research topics and methodologies, valuing the unique perspectives that Black scholars bring to their fields.
3. Celebrating Successes: Highlighting and celebrating the achievements of Black doctoral graduates can inspire future generations and showcase the contributions of Black scholars to the academic community

1. Many will argue that columns written like these are too racially charged and should be ignored but it is my view that we must be able to point out areas of improvement within the black community and create a better equitable world for future generations, this column is written as a timeless piece written to speak to generations. This column is written not just for adult black men but for primary and secondary school teachers principals, university tutors professors, the Ministry of Education Youth and Information, the Early Childhood Commission, and Youth Centers The members of parliament in whatever jurisdiction.? It is for the young black boy of African descent reading this column whom I may never get the chance to meet in my lifetime the one who dears to dream and work hard towards his goals, it is for my brothers who share the same dream and goals. This Column is for the African boys stolen from their homes and placed on slave ships in the trans-Atlantic Slave trade in the most inhumane of circumstances but kept fighting for their freedom their rights and a dream of an education a dream many did not live to see so its important to focus knowing that we are the hope and the dream of the slave. The first Black man to receive a doctoral degree in the United States was Edward Alexander Bouchet. Earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Yale University in 1876. Puts it best when he famously said “Limits like fear, are just an illusion” What he means is that yes we cannot control the many biases that the world may have against us be it or color of our skin our sexuality or sexual orientation or even our socio-economic status as young black men but we all have one thing within us and that is the ability to believe in our dreams through action and hard work we can achieve anything we want to.?