Black Scholars Matter
For Dr. Jarbo, being bold and gritty means being confident that you can bring your whole self into any situation or environment and learn to thrive and reach your goals – no matter what obstacles you face.
Kevin Jarbo, PhD, Original artwork by David Paul, MD
In the Fall of 2021, Dr. Jarbo will be an Assistant Professor in the Social and Decision Sciences Department at Carnegie Mellon University. His research will focus on how stereotype threat — a worry or concern about being judged based on negative stereotypes — impacts students’ decisions to seek help and procrastinate in academic settings. After majoring in biology at the University of Pittsburgh, he conducted brain imaging research and later earned his PhD in psychology and cognitive neuroscience at Carnegie Mellon University in 2018. In his current role as a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow at CMU, he studies how situational contexts influence the way people make decisions. He also works in CMU’s Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, specifically focusing on the experiences and development of Black men in college.
His experiences in higher education inspired him to establish #blackscholarsmatter - a movement that affirms the contributions to academic knowledge and human progress made by black scholars. The slogan, incorporated into a powerful symbol of the African diaspora serves as a reminder that Black Scholars Matter.
If he could give his younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: Do you! Go all in on school subjects that you are passionate about instead of trying to live up to other people’s expectations of what you should do and what their version of success is.
We highlight successful Black Men ages 18-40, who embody what it means to be Bold and Gritty. If you or someone you know embodies these core values and would like to use our platform to shine a light on #Blackmale excellence and encourage future Bold and Gritty men, please DM us a picture and (1) your current occupation or educational status, (2) how you are making an impact in your community, and (3) what advice you would give for the next generation of Black men
