ATLANTA — Morehouse College is doing something no other college in the country is doing: It’s launched a Black men’s research institute.

Channel 2′s Kristen Holloway spoke to students about what the institute means and how it will contribute to more positive national and international conversations.

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Morehouse juniors Shawn Brooks and Alonzo Frederic are thrilled the college launched a Black men’s research institute.

“It’s important that we have research for Black men just to counteract the unfortunate narratives that are out there about us,” Brooks said.

The institute will pioneer the study of economic, social, cultural and personal issues affecting Black men.

“Sometimes it feels like we don’t care about how Black men have suffered during their lives, but we love performing outrage at their deaths. And at that time and at that conclusion, we’re far too late to give a voice to many of these realities, so that’s also something I’m hoping this program will brings,” Frederic said.

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Clarissa Myrick-Harris, humanities division chair, said there will be research courses, symposiums, public lectures and other forms of engagement.

“Looking at disparities when it comes to the experiences of Black men and how those disparities then impact their lives on a day-to-day basis and again by extension the lives of women, girls, family and community,” Myrick-Harris said.

The hope is for students to be able to minor in Black masculinities next year.

“We’re offering a course that will probably end up being an introductory course for this minor. We’re offering that course this semester, introduction to gender and sexuality,” Myrick-Harris said.

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Brooks said he wants the institute to bring social change.

“It will allow us just counteract the narratives and dismantle the systems, and hopefully this research will influence policy. That’s my goal,” Brooks said.

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