Ronald Mincy Leads New Study on Black Males in Bermuda

For Immediate Release

September 20, 2007

New York, NY – Dr. Ronald Mincy, the Maurice V. Russell Professor of Social Policy and Social Work Practice at the Columbia University School of Social Work, will spearhead a new study on black males in Bermuda.

Funded by the Bermuda Government and the U.S.-based Atlantic Philanthropies, the study aims to examine the attainment gaps between young black and other youth and young adults in Bermuda. Dr. Mincy and local researchers will use micro-data files created from the most recent Census of Population in Bermuda, and qualitative research conducted by Columbia University and local researchers to illuminate questions left unanswered by the Census data.
“Young black men appear to be less likely than other youth and young adults to share the benefits of the robust economic growth now occurring in Bermuda. I welcome the opportunity to work in a country where there is both the political will and the economic opportunity to close these gaps,” said Dr. Mincy. “The study will provide better estimates of attainment gaps for young black men and highlight the individual and family characteristics with which these gaps are associated, so that Bermudans have better knowledge with which to guide their policies and programs. Because the study will have an advisory board of experts from the U.K, countries in the Caribbean, West Africa, and South Africa, I will be able to dialogue with other scholars who, like myself, are amazed that the deteriorating life chances of young men throughout the African Diaspora has gone virtually unnoticed for decades.”

For more information or to interview Dr. Mincy, please contact Jeannie Hii 212-851-2327 or jy2223@columbia.edu.