Coping as a Double Minority: Reflections of a Black Man Who Achieved His Doctorate in Social Work

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Keywords:

community, mental health, education

Abstract

This article discusses my personal experience as a double minority—Black and male—in a social work doctoral program, emphasizing the unique challenges posed by this intersectionality in an academic context. The narrative explores the correlation between doctoral education and the experiences of Black men, highlighting coping mechanisms and the importance of community support. By explicitly noting the double minority status within this specific academic setting, the examination of implications for social work and recommendations for future research aims to contribute to improving the experiences of the next generation of individuals navigating multiple marginalized identities.

Author Biography

Darius Gwynn, Bowie State University

Darius Gwynn, PhD, LCSW-C (he/him) is Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD (dgwynn@bowiestate.edu).

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Published

2026-04-29

How to Cite

Gwynn, D. (2026). Coping as a Double Minority: Reflections of a Black Man Who Achieved His Doctorate in Social Work. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 32(1), 108–118. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/2145

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