Chair discusses the success of Emory's African American Studies doctoral program

When Dr. Kali Nicole Gross earned her bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies, she received mixed reactions from her family about her academic path. At the time, she said, her uncle wanted her to be a lawyer — but her mother was the only one who supported her.

Fast forward three decades later, Gross is now an author, scholar and educator. She serves as the National Endowment for the Humanities Professor of African American Studies and the chair of African American Studies at Emory University. She oversees Emory University’s new doctoral African American Studies program. The program, which accepted its first cohort of students in the fall of 2023 and another in 2024, is the first of its kind in the southeast and the first offered at a private university in the south.

On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Gross talked with show host Rose Scott about the success of the program thus far and what distinguishes Emory’s program from other doctoral programs. Gross also talked about the importance of African American studies and the various career paths that are available for someone who earns a Ph.D. in the interdisciplinary field.