Bobby William Austin facts for kids

Bobby William Austin, born on December 29, 1944, is an American expert who studies how people live together (a sociologist). He is also a lecturer and a writer. He is a top expert on African-American men and boys. He was the first person at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to give money for big projects helping African-American men and boys. For over 30 years, he has worked in areas like education and helping young people. He has created ways for people to live peacefully and creatively in their communities. He is currently the President of the Neighborhood Associates Corporation. He also manages the EducationThinkTank.

Education and Early Life

Austin was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1944. He studied sociology and economics at Western Kentucky University. He earned his first degree there. Later, he received a master's degree in sociology from Fisk University. He then earned his highest degree, a Ph.D., from McMaster University in Canada.

He was the first African-American full-time teacher at Georgetown University. He also received a special diploma from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Central Michigan University gave him an honorary doctorate for his public service. He is also a special fellow of the American Academy of Political and Social Science.

Family Life

Austin is married to Joy Ford. Joy's father, John Meredith Ford, was once the Lord Mayor of Georgetown, Guyana. Bobby and Joy have a daughter named Ariana Austin. In 2017, Ariana married Prince Joel Dawit Makonnen of Ethiopia.

Important Work and Contributions

Bobby Austin has worked in many important roles. He helped write speeches for political campaigns. He worked for mayors in Washington, D.C.. He also held different positions at the University of the District of Columbia.

He was the first editor of the Urban League Review. This was a national research journal for the National Urban League. From 1990 to 1997, he worked at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. There, he directed the African American Men and Boys Initiative. He also helped lead the Kellogg National Fellowship Program.

As the head of the National Task Force on African American Men and Boys, he edited an important report. It was called Repairing the Breach: Key Ways to Support Family Life, Reclaim Our Streets, and Rebuild Civil Society in America's Communities. This report offered solutions to problems faced by young Black men in the U.S. These ideas came from a special group formed in 1994. Andrew Young led this group. Their ideas were based on successful local programs across the country. William Raspberry, a writer for The Washington Post, called these ideas "the plan to save America."

The Village Foundation

In 1997, Austin started the Village Foundation. This group aimed to help African-American males connect with society. Its goal was to link young men and boys first to their local communities. Then, it aimed to connect them to the wider society.

One of the main projects of the Village Foundation was the "Give a Boy a Book Day campaign." This program encouraged young African-American men to read more. Austin is an expert on leadership. In his article, "Twenty-First Century Leadership in the African-American Community," he predicted a new kind of leadership. He believed there would be more local and regional leaders.

Other Leadership Roles

Austin was the former Chairman of a committee on African American Men. Congressman Danny Davis organized this committee. He also helped start the National Endowment for the Public Trust. He directed its Justice Task Force.

Austin founded the People's program. He also organized the civic league and its "Citizens Diplomats" program. He served on the boards of the National Housing Trust and the Council for the Advancement of Adult Literacy. He is currently on the World Policy Council of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He helped organize the Centennial Family Symposium in 2006. He also chaired "The Year of the African-American Male."

Honors and Recognition

In April 2014, Austin's work was honored at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A conference was held there to look back at 20 years since his important report, "Repairing the Breach." The conference honored Austin as the main person behind this effort. Experts discussed the ideas behind his work. They also talked about the future of helping African-American young men and their families.

Bobby Austin is recognized as one of the 50 African-Americans who changed the world of education forever.