Black Scholars matter.

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Excellence in scholarship, Exercised in practice, as the expected outcome.

By fostering connections across disciplines, the BDN unlocks the key to producing innovative and groundbreaking knowledge.
We have created a pipeline of excellence that extends from professors and professionals to graduate and undergraduate students.

BDN's goal is to encourage deep connections that are currently hindered by academic isolation and fragmentation of intellectual resources.

We serve as a clearinghouse for Black and Latino scholars and professionals in the Social Sciences, STEM, and Humanities. BDN is a conduit between talented scholars, researchers, practitioners, and institutions that are serious about diversity and inclusion.

Management Team

Dr. Deandra Taylor

Executive Director

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Lynda Gibson PhD

Deputy Director

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Dr. Pia L. Scott, LPC, GCDF

Director of Membership Services

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Waajida L. Small Ph.D

Director of People and Culture

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Maurice Green Ph.D

Founding Managing Director

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Dyncie M. Valdez, MSW

Senior Manager of Academic Partnerships

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Anna Wilson MA

Grants Coordinator

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Mr. Zachary Thomas

Strategic Outreach Coordinator

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Brittany A. Henry, Ph.D., LMFT

Director of Mental Health and Wellness Programs

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Mr. Keon Barney

Business Development Coordinator

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Mr. Van Havercome

Manager of Institutional Partnerships

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Charlize Green

Social Media Coordinator

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Matthew Carter

Student Membership Specialist

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Advisory Board

Dr. Julianne Malveaux
California State University, Los Angeles

Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall
Spelman College

Dr. Jamal Watson
ETS

Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi
George Mason University

Dr. Cornel West
Union Theological Seminary

Dr. Khalil G. Muhummad
Harvard Kennedy School

Dr. N’Dri Assie-Lumumba
Cornell University

Adryanna Sutherland MBA
Bright and Early LLC

Donell Henry
Strategic Business Development

Stephanie Mohorn
BDN Chief of Staff

Dr. Kalinda Ukanwa
University of Southern California

Dr. Skyller Walkes
Columbia University

INTERCONNECTIVE ACCELERATOR

BDN members can be found in the corporate, government, non-profit, and consulting arenas. As a networked non-profit, BDN is able to drive social change through the innovative and savvy use of social media to engage the public, build relationships and trust, and increase the number of interconnected members, thinkers, and ideators throughout the world.