LOS ANGELES — Loyola Marymount University has been selected to host the 12th annual Black Doctoral Network (BDN) national conference at the Westchester campus from Oct. 17-19, 2024. BDN, a national association that serves as a community of scholars, thinkers, and intellectuals, is committed to advancing important conversations, as well as producing transformative knowledge. The university has been partnering with BDN since 2017 and this is the first time LMU is hosting their national event.
“This conference is an opportunity for Black and Latinx scholars, professionals, and students to discuss research and scholarship, best practices, as well as addressing a multitude of issues affecting Blacks in education, health care, STEM, or the social sciences,” said Steven Neal, a member of the event steering committee and director of LMU’s Academic Community of Excellence.
The keynote speaker is Hakeem Oluseyi, Ph.D., an internationally recognized astrophysicist and author of his memoir “A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Streets to the Stars.” Oluseyi is a global education advocate with a distinguished career in academia and scientific research.
Attendees will gain valuable insights from panel discussions, interactive workshops, and small group sessions to address critical issues. During the conference, undergraduate students will have the opportunity to attend the U-PROPEL (Undergraduates Promoting Research, Opportunities, Professionalism, Education, and Leadership) conference. Students will be introduced to cutting-edge research presentations, receive feedback from scholars, develop essential leadership capabilities, and gain insights into professional growth opportunities.
In 2022, the “Survey of Earned Doctorates” by the National Science Foundation revealed that U.S. colleges and universities awarded a total of 57,596 doctoral degrees. Among these, 2,647 were earned by Black American students, marking the highest number in history. This reflects a steady increase and a narrowing of achievement gaps.
Despite these accomplishments, Black students earning doctoral degrees each year often go unnoticed and unrecognized, even though many are engaged in innovative research. Further, much of the research analysis and studies on Black college students examine them from a deficit lens that focuses on negative outcomes rather than the root causes of persistent achievement gaps. These narratives have the potential to overshadow the accomplishments of high-achieving Black students who are excelling and actively preparing for graduate and professional school. These are invisible minorities.
Research has shown that a widespread issue among Black doctoral students is the feeling of isolation. The scarcity of doctorate-level role models and mentors who share a racial background can create a sense of isolation among these students. Jamal Epperson, LMU’s assistant director for DEI Initiatives, who is pursuing a doctorate in international multicultural education, shared, “I’m usually the only Black person in most of my classes. I attended my first BDN conference in fall 2023, and this was one of the first times I felt part of an esteemed community. It did not feel hierarchical, as I typically feel within many spaces where people are discussing education; this was a community of individuals coming together to talk and challenge many of the historically old ways of our education.”
Epperson added that they were able to connect with a mentor through BDN. “My mentor just got it and knew how to navigate higher education; I’ve never necessarily had that kind of mentorship before. I’m very excited that the BDN conference is coming to LMU, especially knowing that so many students will be able to connect with other doctoral students.” BDN has been integral in lessening academic isolation and bringing together fragmented intellectual resources.
While BDN serves as a supportive and nurturing community and a resource that connects those with doctorate degrees to students pursuing their doctorates, Emelyn dela Peña, Ed.D., LMU vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, said, “This partnership aligns perfectly with LMU’s strategic commitments of fostering inclusive excellence and expanding our impact as we strive to prepare our students for a dynamic future. Being selected as the host is a testament to our commitment and collective efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and promote justice.”
