Introducing the 2017 Class of the Young Scholars Summer Research Institute! This program hosted by the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity, in collaboration with Durham Public Schools, offers high school and middle school students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of academic research while exploring complex social issues and equity topics.
Meet Our Scholars
Each Scholar has completed a rigorous curriculum and culminated their experience by presenting a group presentation (Cohort 1), research poster (Cohort 2), and research paper (Cohort 3) on pressing social issues. Their projects, ranging from male mental health to the achievement gap, are highlighted below. To learn more about our Scholars, view their individual profiles which showcase their project topics and the schools they attend.
Scholars in each cohort hail from various high schools and middle schools across Durham, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the program.
Cohort 1
Akieliah Robinson
Project:
Media’s Role in Perpetuating Stereotypes
Education:
Hillside High School
Alana Petifer
Project:
Media’s Role in Perpetuating Stereotypes
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Angeli Novio
Project:
Educational Inequality in America
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Avauni Manago
Project:
Media’s Role in Perpetuating Stereotypes
Education:
Southern School of Energy and Sustainability
Bethany Graham
Project:
Racial Discrimination in the American Legal System
Education:
Northern High School
Catherine Kiplagat
Role:
Government Supported Inequality
Institution:
George Lucas Carrington Middle School
Ellison Graham
Project:
Media’s Role in Perpetuating Stereotypes
Education:
Northern High School
Elson Ray Roaquin
Project:
Impact of Wealth Inequalities in America
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Cohort 2
Ákánké Mason-Hogans
Project:
A Culture of Community: Why HBCUs Matter for Black Students
Education:
Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School
Ayden Lawrence (Visiting Scholar)
Cierra Hill
Project:
Restorative Justice: Breaking the Cycle for African American Youth
Education:
Northern High School
Giavanni Parker
Project:
The Mask of Masculinity: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health in Black Men
Education:
Hillside High School
Jenny Uba
Project:
Unhealthy Consumption: Inaccessible Food, Attainable Pills
Education:
Northern High School
Kollin Brown
Project:
Gentrification in Chicago: Gun Shots Lead to More Coffee Shops
Education:
Hillside High School
Leah Zachary
Project:
A Nation of Immigrants in a Nativist School System
Education:
Hillside High School
Leryann Whitehall
Project:
Taking Back India: Indian Women’s’ Groups and their Journey of Empowerment
Education:
City of Medicine Academy
Cohort 3
Amazende Adi
Project:
Racial Bias in Disciplinary Policies in the Educational System
Education:
Hillside High School
Boluwatife Ajasa
Project:
Rehabilitation versus Criminal Control: Education in Prisons
Education:
Durham School of Arts
Elijah King
Project:
A Two-Faced System: How Title I Has Cut American Children Short
Education:
Riverside High School
Kennedy Ruff
Project:
Some Secrets Shouldn’t Be Kept: The Continuous Struggle of Mental Health in the African American Community
Education:
Durham School of Arts
Rachel Ruff
Project:
A Gap That Braces Can’t Fix: The Achievement Gap between Minority Students and White Students
Education:
Riverside High School
Sydney Grissom (Visiting Scholar)
Project:
Mandatory Minimums for Maximum Profit: Corporate Wealth in the Prison
Education:
Durham Academy
Teemer Barry
Project:
A Crisis of Care: Why Cutbacks to Medicaid Will Only Serve to Aggravate the Opioid Crisis
Education:
Charles E. Jordan High School
Meet Our Team
The Young Scholars Summer Research Institute is driven by a dedicated team of staff, administrators, instructors, interns, teaching assistants, mentors, and volunteers who support the growth and success of our Scholars. Their collective expertise, passion, and commitment provide invaluable guidance throughout the program, fostering a nurturing environment for students to excel.
Below, you can explore the profiles of our team members to learn more about the people who help bring this program to life.
Institute Personnel
Addison Malone
Role:
Program Coordinator
Institution:
Cook Center, Duke University
Caterina Chiopris
Role:
Graduate Research Assistant
Institution:
Duke University
Cheyenne Solorio
Role:
Cohort 2 Instructor
Institution:
John W. Neal Middle School
Daniel Bullock
Role:
Durham Public Schools Program Liaison
Institution:
Executive Director for Equity Affairs at Durham Public Schools
Imari Smith
Role:
Graduate Research Assistant
Institution:
Duke University
India Williams
Role:
Cohort 1 Instructor
Institution:
Sherwood Githens Middle School
2017 Young Scholars Capstone Conference
On Monday, July 31, 2017 student participants of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity's Young Scholars Summer Research Institute presented their research before institute peers, university scholars, and Durham community members at the Nasher Museum of Art. Esteemed guests included keynote speaker Mrs. Billye S. Aaron of the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation and members of the Cook family including Mrs. Sylvia Cook, Mr. Samuel DuBois Cook Jr. and his two children.
Capstone
Explore images from the Institute and Capstone Project Showcase.
