Franklin spoke briefly of his hopes and goals for his time at BC. "What attracted me to BC was the opportunity to continue my work and scholastic ambitions. This institution has great visions for the future and the abilities to make those happen. I look forward to sharing my life stories and expertise," he said.
As a full-time faculty member here, Franklin will continue his research while serving as a mentor to students. Specializing in psychology as it pertains to African-American males, Franklin will join this perspective with the educational curriculum of the Lynch School of Education. "Racism is a filter for obscuring the abilities and talents of this group," he said. "How does this affect their psychological well-being?"
There are, he said, stories that go against the stereotype which are often unheard by society. "How do we get these black youth we don't hear about into the public eye?" he asked. "How do we sustain resilience and health in the face of adversity?" He said he hopes that analysis of the data he has compiled will help to shed light on some answers.
As an educator, Franklin said he stresses the skill of writing above all else to his students. "With writing, we leave a record of information for the future to learn from. It's essential to the African philosophy," he said.
Franklin was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Nancy Boyd-Franklin, PhD., a professor at Rutgers University. Before coming to BC, he was a professor of clinical and social personality psychology at the City College and Graduate School of the City University of New York (CUNY). Franklin has published numerous books and has been the recipient of many prestigious awards.
"Whatever you need to have done, he has done it," said Janet Helms, director of the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture, when introducing Franklin. "He will shed light on race, racism, and discrimination. He has a personal concern for minority disenfranchised groups."
Spring Break
