Aaron Young Scholars Program Gives Durham Youths a Chance at Social Science Research

Amanitore Truitt shows her research on the correlation of literacy rates and incarceration.
Amanitore Truitt shows her research on the correlation of literacy rates and incarceration.

Durham youths live every day of their lives dealing with economic, social, health, racial and judicial issues that shape their communities.  If they want to gain experience studying those issues in their own neighborhoods, the place to do it is Duke’s Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity.

Every summer, the center runs the Hank and Billye Suber Aaron Young Scholars program, one of the few opportunities in the state for young people to get experience in conducting interdisciplinary social sciences research.

This summer, 49 students from Durham Public Schools explored inequities in health, technology, education, labor, criminal justice and other topics. They showed their work in poster sessions and oral presentations at a capstone event Aug. 9 at the Washington Duke Inn.

Kennedy Ruff, Cook Center research associate and Aaron Young Scholars program coordinator, said the program can launch students on a career path in the social sciences.  Some will continue their work with the Cook Center. Often, the students bring new perspectives to research at the center.

“By observing students incorporate their personal experiences into their research, the Cook Center can learn from the emerging generation of scholars,” Ruff said.

Students select the topics, often related to issues they encounter. This year, among the 49 projects were studies of the experiences of Central American immigrants in higher education, disenfranchisement of minority voters, issues of mental health and racial disparities in mortality rates.

Billye Suber Aaron and Sylvia Cook talk at the capstone event at the Washington Duke Inn.
Sylvia Cook and Billye Suber Aaron talk at the capstone event at the Washington Duke Inn.

The three-week summer social science program for Durham students is free and helps train the students to develop an interest in researching issues of economic, social, and political inequality.

Student Funmi Shabu said she was interested in a program as a way of strengthening her research abilities. “I was skeptical at first because of how long the program was, but it ended up being an amazing experience. Some of the things I learned from the program were how to find adequate research articles, write more professionally, and strengthen my public speaking and presentation skills,” Shabu said.

She said she hoped to return next year. “I have already noticed the tools I got at the program are improving my collaboration skills.”

The ceremony also featured two keynote speakers who praised students for their work and encouraged them to continue to explore these issues throughout their careers.

Tia Hodges, president & CEO of MetLife Foundation, encouraged students to use their voices, reminding them that “speaking and speaking up is a gift you give to your audience.” Mark Harris, senior program officer of community and worker power for The JPB Foundation, in adapting "an old saying from the 20th century" about thinking globally and acting locally, applauded students for their interest in working to understand systemic inequities. He concluded by urging the students to "come together to use your knowledge and power to make a difference."

Other speakers included Dr. Iwinosa Idahor, student equity, engagement, and opportunity coordinator for Durham Public Schools; community activist and educator Billye Suber Aaron, for whom the program is named; and Sylvia Cook, wife of noted political scientist and educator Samuel DuBois Cook, for whom the Cook Center is named.

Aaron Scholars outside the Durham PUblic Schools administrative building.
Aaron Scholars outside the Durham Public Schools administrative building.

The Aaron Young Scholars program is in keeping with Samuel Cook’s legacy of developing young social science scholars to study issues of inequality. The center continues that mission.

"You are sparking diamonds that will grow into luminous stars," said Cook to the students, "and you will lead the way and make the world a brighter place."

The program has been cited by Durham school and political officials as creating learning experiences for local students. On Aug. 22, the students were honored at a meeting of the Durham County Board of Education.

To view more details from this year’s capstone, including the student projects, visit the Young Scholars page on the Cook Center website.