Morehouse College launches the Black Men’s Research Institute

February 16th, 2022

derrick bryan clarissa myrick-harris black men's research institute — Dr. Derrick Bryan, the associate director of the Black Men's Research Institute, and Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris, the chair of the Humanities Division and a professor of Africana Studies at Morehouse College, joined “Closer Look” to discuss the creation and focus of the Black Men’s Research Institute. (Photos courtesy Morehouse College)

According to its website, the Black Men’s Research Institute’s (BMRI) will foster the study of economic, social and cultural issues affecting Black men.

Dr. Derrick Bryan, the associate director of the BMRI, and Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris, the chair of the Humanities Division and a professor of Africana Studies at Morehouse College, were guests on Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look.”

They talked with program host Rose Scott about the creation of the institute and its efforts to serve and prepare Black men and the overall importance of not looking at Black men from a deficit model — but rather learn from their abilities to overcome and thrive.

Bryan further explained that he wants the institute to be a go-to resource for people who want to gain knowledge about what’s going on with Black men.

“We want to be the incubator for change, right,” explained Bryan. “We want to provide a more suitable narrative to the one that exists out there for Black men already.”