BDN Impact

More Than a Network — A Proven Force in Higher Education and Beyond

Since 2012, the Black Doctoral Network has connected over 40,000 scholars across universities, government agencies, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies — creating a powerful ecosystem of intellectual leadership and intergenerational mentorship.

We’ve built one of the largest communities of advanced-degree scholars in the world, supporting members from undergraduate to postdoc to senior faculty and executive leadership. From the Ivy League to HBCUs, from first-gen students to full-tenured professors, our reach spans the full academic arc — and beyond.

Our Impact is Measured by Results:

• Hosted national conferences featuring iconic thought leaders like Dr. Cornel West, Dr. William Julius Wilson, and Dr. N’Dri Thérèse Assié-Lumumba — widely regarded among the most influential scholars of our time.
• Earned the support of global leaders across sectors, including David L. Cohen, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada and Comcast EVP, and Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, President of Cal State LA.
• Recognized with a formal City Citation from Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, affirming BDN’s civic and scholarly contribution.
• Delivered high-impact mentorship, fellowships, and speaker platforms for thousands of students and professionals in the U.S. and abroad.
• Forged cross-sector partnerships that help institutions recruit talent, develop leaders, and showcase academic excellence without political friction.

Key Milestones and Highlights:

• Scholars published.
• Faculty tenured.
• Careers launched.
• Institutions transformed.

This is not theory. It’s infrastructure. And it’s working.

BDN doesn’t just amplify voices — it equips scholars to shape the future of research, policy, and innovation.