Monisha J. Brown x Dr. Keon N. Berry (Morehouse Professor)

Dr. Keon N. Berry, a 26-year-old and sole Gen Z professor at Morehouse College, shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in America’s education system. A Morehouse graduate with a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, Berry discussed his personal journal as a Black male student who faced systemic barriers but found strength in academic excellence. Drawing from his personal experience as a Black male student who faced systemic barriers, he emphasized the need for educational models that support diverse learning needs while maintaining academic excellence.
He emphasized the urgent need for sustainable funding in early childhood education, noting that 90% of brain development occurs by age 5 and every dollar invested yields an eightfold return. While supporting charter schools as viable alternatives to traditional public education, Dr. Berry cites higher parent satisfaction rates and improved performance among Black students. He expressed concern about potential political changes that could impact educational equity, particularly the proposed dissolution of the Department of Education. Berry stressed the importance of connecting classroom learning to real-world applications, advocated for increased STEM education, and highlighted the value of pre-professional exposure programs.