The Program in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
As a Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies major, I explored the intersections of Black masculinity, sexuality, and education. My research focused on understanding how masculinity and sexuality influenced or motivated Black men to achieve in academic setting. I found this area of study particularly interesting given my background as a gay Black man from the city of Detroit, and a student at Penn. The GSWS major helped me find my passion for diversity and inclusion work, and understand how identities drive experiences, interactions, and decision making. (Click above to read more.)
As a Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies major, I explored the intersections of Black masculinity, sexuality, and education. My research focused on understanding how masculinity and sexuality influenced or motivated Black men to achieve in academic setting. I found this area of study particularly interesting given my background as a gay Black man from the city of Detroit, and a student at Penn. The GSWS major helped me find my passion for diversity and inclusion work, and understand how identities drive experiences, interactions, and decision making.
After graduating, I returned to Detroit as a 2012 Teach For America corps member, where I taught Algebra 1 and 2 at my alma mater, Renaissance High School. Being a major gave me a stronger awareness of how to interact with my colleagues across lines of difference and power. For example, in one of my courses, we discussed White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh. Although I am Black, it helped me to begin understanding the ideas of privilege and oppression, and this translated into the classroom. I was able to check my male privilege and my privilege as someone who was college educated in a classroom of students; furthermore, I was able to use my experiences to provide meaningful lessons and discussions for my students. After finishing my two-year commitment in Detroit, I moved back to Philadelphia to work for Teach For America Greater Philadelphia, where I coached corps members and led our regional diversity initiatives.
Combining my experience starting an academic summer enrichment program back in Detroit, and working for a major nonprofit, I wanted to learn more about long term sustainability of nonprofit organizations, internal strategy, and how diversity influences power and decision making within organizations. Currently, I am a first-year student at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Although many businesses are vocal about their commitment to diversity and inclusion, I believe that there is more work to be done, and that is where I hope to step in. Long term, I would love to bridge the gap between business, education, and diversity work to create a social enterprise back in my hometown. I would love to talk more about my time as a GSWS major, a student at Penn, being a lifelong educator, and business school.