Boyce Watkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boyce Watkins
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Watkins in 2008
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| Born | June 20, 1971 |
| Education | University of Kentucky (BA, BS, MS) Ohio State University (PhD) |
| Occupation | Academic, finance expert, media analyst, influencer |
Boyce D. Watkins (born June 20, 1971) is an American author, political expert, and social media figure. He used to be a college professor. Dr. Watkins has written many articles about money and investing. He also speaks up for education and economic power for everyone.
Watkins has appeared on many national TV and radio shows. These include CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, and Fox News. He has also been featured in magazines and on websites like Essence and USA Today.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Boyce Watkins was born in Louisville, Kentucky. His mother was a teenager, and his father left when he was a baby. When Boyce was three, his mother married Larry Watkins, a Vietnam veteran. Larry adopted Boyce and became his father. The family worked hard to improve their lives.
Boyce's mother always encouraged him to do his best. His adopted father, Larry, later became a police officer and was very strict.
Struggles in School
Watkins did not do well in school at first. His grades were poor, and teachers put him in special education classes. They told him he wasn't smart enough for college. "When I look back on those years as a black boy in a racist state like Kentucky, I get angry," Watkins has said. "I almost lost the future that God had in store for me."
In high school, Watkins was the captain of his track team and worked at fast-food restaurants like Taco Bell. His teenage years were difficult, and he often felt unloved. A local group called "Black Achievers" gave him a small scholarship to the University of Kentucky, which helped pay for his classes.
Success in College
During his first year of college, Watkins became a father. This new responsibility motivated him to work harder in his studies. For the first time, he earned all A's.
Watkins went on to win many awards in college. He was named Freshman of the Year and Sophomore of the Year. He also won a special award from The Wall Street Journal when he graduated. In 1993, he earned three bachelor's degrees: one in economics, one in finance, and one in business management.
He stayed at the University of Kentucky and earned a Master of Science degree in mathematics in 1998. He then went to Ohio State University to get his Ph.D. in finance, which he completed in 2002.
Career and Activism
After earning his Ph.D., Watkins became a finance professor at Syracuse University. He also taught and studied at other universities, including some in China and Germany.
While he was a student, Watkins started to get involved in political activism. He was upset by racist language in his campus newspaper. He began writing his own columns to challenge the unfair treatment of people on campus.
Author and Public Speaker
In 2004, Watkins wrote his first book, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College: A Guide for Minority Students. He said, "I wrote this book for all the young kids like me who were told they can't go to college."
He wrote another book called What if George Bush were a Black Man?. In this book, he discussed what he saw as white privilege in America. He used facts and stories to imagine how things might be different for powerful people if they were poor and Black.
He also wrote several books about money, including Financial ... 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good and Black American Money.
Media Appearances and Debates
Watkins has had public disagreements with media figures like Bill O'Reilly from Fox News. Watkins often criticized O'Reilly for what he believed were unfair comments about the Black community.
In 2008, O'Reilly made a controversial comment about Michelle Obama. Watkins organized an online protest, asking his supporters to complain to the companies that sponsored O'Reilly's show. This led to a bigger conflict, with O'Reilly calling for Syracuse University to fire Watkins. O'Reilly later apologized for his comment about Michelle Obama.
Advocacy for College Athletes
Watkins is a strong supporter of the rights of college athletes. He argues that the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is unfair because it makes billions of dollars but does not pay the student-athletes who play the sports.
He believes the NCAA takes advantage of young athletes, especially Black athletes, and does not share the money it earns with their families. Watkins has appeared on ESPN, CNN, and other sports networks to explain why he thinks college athletes should be paid.
Watkins argues that the money made from events like the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament is huge. He points out that many college coaches become millionaires, while the athletes and their families often struggle with money. He believes the system needs to be changed to be fairer to the students.
Financial Advice for the Community
Through his website and public speaking, Watkins gives financial advice, especially to African Americans. He teaches that being smart with money is an important part of being free and independent.
He encourages people to learn about investing and owning property. He believes that by building wealth, the African-American community can become stronger and more powerful.
