Among students attending four-year public colleges, Black students face the most significant hurdles in graduation rates, with only 45.9% completing their degrees within six years. This is the lowest rate among all racial and ethnic groups, highlighting a persistent gap in higher education achievement. The challenges are even more pronounced for Black men, who have an even lower completion rate at 40%. These statistics not only reflect the systemic barriers that these students face but also underscore the need for targeted support and interventions to bridge this educational divide.
The disparity in graduation rates is more than a set of numbers; it’s a stark representation of the ongoing struggles against educational inequities that many Black students encounter. The lower completion rates for Black men, in particular, call for an urgent reassessment of how educational institutions support these students. It is crucial for colleges and universities to implement strategies that address these gaps, such as increased mentorship opportunities, enhanced academic support, and community-building programs tailored to meet the specific needs of Black students in higher education.
Detroit’s own Andrew Linton has triumphed over considerable odds to become the first Black male graduate of the Degree Forward program. At 34, Linton has converted a fragmented academic past—over 100 college credits earned without a degree—into a proud moment of success, earning a Bachelor of Arts in healthcare management. His journey is not just a personal victory but a beacon of hope and a testament to resilience, balancing a demanding role that supports young people with autism with his unwavering pursuit of education.
Degree Forward, initiated in 2022 through a partnership with Southern New Hampshire University, was spurred into existence by Governor Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 Initiative. This initiative ambitiously targets lifting the percentage of working adults in Michigan with a college degree or professional training from today’s 50.5% to 60% by 2030, addressing a critical gap identified by the Detroit Regional Chamber—nearly 690,000 adults in Southeast Michigan have started college but haven’t completed their degree.
“Andrew always intended to go back to school. He took a few classes but was focused on working and trying to elevate his career,” said Danielle North, CEO of Degree Forward. “Degree Forward helped make it possible for him to complete his degree while working full-time supporting young people with autism. He received great motivation from his mother, a retired Detroit Public Schools Community District principal who always promoted the value of education, as well as support from our team. We are proud to celebrate Andrew’s hard work and achievement.”
Yet, what truly sets Degree Forward apart is its affordability and the robust support system it offers. Tuition costs average $2,300 per semester, with many students receiving aid from Federal Pell Grants, making higher education accessible to those who need it most.
Under the leadership of North, the program acknowledges and actively addresses the unique challenges Black men face in the educational system. This recognition has sparked the launch of the Black Male Achievement Initiative (BMAI), aimed at improving the educational outcomes and overall well-being of Black men in Detroit and beyond.
“Black men are wonderful husbands, fathers, hardworking, college graduates, mentors, leaders, and much more than what society portrays – no matter whether they’ve completed college or not,” North said.
North’s approach is holistic and supportive, intending to uplift not just through academic success but also by creating safe, supportive spaces where Black men can thrive without judgment. This initiative, rooted in feedback from students like Linton, promises more than just educational support—it aims to offer mental health resources, career services, and a community that understands and champions their success.
Stories like that of Linton and his fellow student Koron Dorsett, who is also poised to graduate soon, illustrate the transformative impact of Degree Forward. Dorsett, a 48-year-old emergency management worker, echoes the sentiment of finding a non-judgmental, supportive community within the program. “Something that was really important to me is that I never felt like I was being judged [at Degree Forward],” Dorsett said. “The people at this organization really put themselves in your shoes, they can relate.” His story is another example of the profound personal and professional growth that becomes possible when barriers are removed, and potential is nurtured.
Through its commitment to breaking molds and setting new precedents, Degree Forward is not just changing individual lives—it’s reshaping the educational landscape for Black men in Detroit, offering a blueprint for what educational empowerment can look like when it truly serves the community.
“We will celebrate Black men through our programming and create safe spaces for them to talk and be themselves without judgment,” said North. “We also look forward to sharing their stories of triumph and perseverance under immense pressure and stress, just like the stories of Andrew and Koron.”
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