Breaking Barriers: Black Men Navigating Higher Education
On this episode of The Reckoning, host Dr. Deion Hawkins sits down with guest Dr. Lance T. McCready for an honest conversation about what it truly means to break barriers as Black men in higher education. Together, they share powerful personal stories, talk through the challenges they’ve faced (from early schooling to the college classroom) and reflect on the growing gender gap at historically Black colleges. Dr. Hawkins and Dr. McCready highlight why mentorship, representation, and having the right support system can change everything for young Black men. They discuss the pressures of affordability and identity, and urge colleges to step up in creating spaces where Black men feel seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. Rooted in solidarity and an understanding of community differences, this episode delivers real insights on why choosing the right school and finding your tribe make all the difference.
Read "At Black Colleges, a Stubborn Gender Enrollment Gap Keeps Growing:" https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/30/us/black-men.html
Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro Theme
00:05 Introduction and Speaker Introductions
01:24 Discussing the New York Times Article on Gender Enrollment Gap
02:37 Reflections on the Article and Personal Experiences
07:16 Structural Issues in Education for Black Men
12:11 The Importance of Community in Higher Education
23:03 Navigating Differences and Building Support Systems
33:30 Affordability and Economic Pressures
44:26 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions
47:45 Outro Theme
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Deion S. Hawkins, Ph.D. is Senior Editor of The Reckoning. He is an Assistant Professor of Argumentation & Advocacy and the Director of Debate at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to guiding a nationally recognized speech & debate team, Deion teaches various courses, including, Rhetoric of Social Movements, Health Communication & Health Advocacy. Besides publishing academic research focusing on racial justice in HIV, Deion’s writing has also been featured in Salon, Yahoo, Fortune, and HowStuffWorks. Deion is passionate about using his background in advocacy to advance equity and liberation, especially for Black queer men. He remains committed to serving historically marginalized, under-resourced, and under-served populations. For example, he is on the Board of Directors for Boston Healthcare For The Homeless Program, a nonprofit dedicated to providing comprehensive and dignified healthcare regardless of one’s housing status.