Clinton Boyd, Jr.

Researcher

Dr. Clinton Boyd, Jr. is a Researcher at Chapin Hall. Boyd utilizes evidence to ensure fathers of color are valued as assets to their children, families, and communities. His research primarily studies how the life course events of men of color affect their experiences as parents. Boyd’s research also explores strengthening father involvement in early childhood, positive youth development, workforce readiness, and Responsible Fatherhood programs. His current work includes developing a culturally relevant intervention framework for young, African American fathers in low-income urban settings. Boyd is also currently evaluating a pilot program in North Carolina’s Durham County to remove barriers to employment and self-sufficiency for residents without a valid driver’s license, many of whom are fathers of color. His research also focuses on the use of qualitative research methods in policy development and program evaluation. He is a 2024 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow for his work in undoing the systemic barriers Black fathers face while attempting to flourish in society.

Before transitioning to Chapin Hall, Boyd was a Postdoctoral Associate at the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, where he conducted research on race and ethnicity, inequality, family policy, and parenting in Black families. Boyd also taught courses related to African and African American studies and Global Inequality at Duke University. Boyd also served as a consultant with Morehouse School of Medicine, where he designed and implemented a wraparound program for justice-involved youth in Atlanta, Georgia. In his capacity as a consultant, Boyd also pursued diversified partnerships with policymakers, foundations, high-wealth individuals, corporations, and community leaders to support his positive youth development work.

Boyd received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Concordia University Chicago, a Master of Arts in Sociology from DePaul University, and a PhD in Sociology from Georgia State University.

PhD in Sociology, Georgia State University

Mater of Arts in Sociology, DePaul University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology, Concordia University Chicago

Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow, 2024

Equity & Inclusion Young Professional Fellowship, Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management, 2021.

Doris Duke Fellowship for the Promotion of Child Well-Being, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, 2016.

ZERO TO THREE Fellowship, ZERO TO THREE, 2016.

Boyd, Jr., C., & Oakley, D (2020). Untapped assets: Developing a strategy to empower Black fathers in mixed-income communities. In A. Khare and M. Joseph (eds.). What Works to Promote Inclusive, Equitable Mixed‐Income, Mixed‐Use Communities. San Francisco, CA: Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Boyd, Jr., C. (2020). Reaching their full potential: Strategies for supporting young fathers of color. Baltimore, MD: Center for Urban Families and The Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Self-Brown, S., Cowart-Osborne, M., Boyd, Jr., C., Lai, B., Brown, N., Rostad, W., Jackson, M., Thomas, A., Meister, E., Patterson, A. (2018). The impact of SafeCare Dads to Kids Program on father-child interaction and maltreatment risk: Outcomes and lessons learned from an efficacy trial. Child Abuse & Neglect, 83, 31–41.

Rostad, W., Self-Brown, S., Boyd, Jr., C., Cowart-Osborne, M., & Patterson, A. (2017). Exploration of factors predictive of at-risk fathers’ participation in and augmented evidence-based parent training program: A mixed methods approach. Children and Youth Services Review, 79, 485–494.

Self-Brown, S., Cowart-Osborne, M., Baker, E., Thomas, A., Boyd, Jr., C., Chege, E., Jackson, M., Meister, E., & Lutzker, J. (2015). Dad2K: An adaptation of SafeCare to enhance positive parenting skills with at-risk fathers. Journal of Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 37, 138–155.