From The Editor

Great Power, Great Responsibility

Last year this time when we began preparation for our first Black Doctorates Symposium, we had no idea what an enormous response we would get from our readers, as well as, other doctorates and supporters in our communities. To finally see this conference come to fruition was truly remarkable. African-American doctorates in attendance spanned from South Florida, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Mississippi just to name a few. Conferees came from all walks of life including the fields of education, health care, and tourism.At the symposium, doctorates combined to focus on the role of the Black doctorate in our communities. What should a Black Doctorate stand for? Do we look up to Black doctorates as role models? Are they to reach back and pull another brother or sister up? Should doctorates be helping the disenfranchised? Or maybe, they are expected to do all of these things.Whew! To do all of those things seems like a whole lot, not to mention focusing on your career, caring for your family, and having time for one’s own self. I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to wonder if this terminal degree comes with a Superman robe. Does the world expect you, the almighty Black doctorate, you who have emerged from the trenches to reclaim your rightful place in this Earth, you, plain ole’ you, to reclaim our lost territory, restore order and unity to our communities, and carry the homeless and the helpless on your back to victory?

The answer is an unstated, “YES.”But before you overnight express your degree back to your university, think about this quote from the movie Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Having a doctorate degree is having the ‘power” to open doors that might normally be closed. It’s the “power” to not only inspire people by what you say, but to motivate them by what you do. You carry the “power” to show outsiders others ways to establish true wealth; ways outside of rapping, playing professional sports, or other illegal activities. Not that it’s anything wrong with being an entertainer or an athlete, but it’s time that we stop relying on just those things to lead to wealth.With all the power that the doctorate degree comes with, no wonder the world expects so much from you. Lucky for you, the degree does come with an invisible super hero robe. You don’t see, you may only feel it in times of pressure, but it is there. That robe holds honor, excellence, confidence, sound judgment, and strength.More importantly, know that you are not alone; your degree comes with a link to other Black doctorates helping to make a positive impact in their communities just like you. Connect with other Black doctorates by way of our magazine and our website, www.blackphdedd.comUntil the next issue, take care and be safe.

Chantel Styles