I have been fortunate to have excellent mentoring relationships with former students. I learned the value of these relationships from my dissertation advisor, Cecilia Conrad, and mentor, William A. Darity, Jr.
Jerry is one of these students. Jerry was a student in my math for economists class when he participated in the American Economic Association Summer Training Program when Duke University hosted the program. He’d send me a note once in a blue moon with updates.
He’d write, “Hey, I am in Korea.” Or “I’ve started a sneaker business.”
At the time, I didn’t think much about his notes.
Corporate America or Academia
In 2021, he reached out asking for advice about how to pivot from corporate America to academia. He started working for WISER on June 1, 2021. Anyone who has ever started a new venture knows you need someone who does what you ask, even when you have forgotten. For me (WISER), that person is Jerry. He completes the research projects even when I have forgotten all about them.
During his tenure at WISER, Jerry completed four research projects sent over 50 WISER Wednesday emails.
Your top 5 WISER Wednesday emails from Jerry are:
- Exposed – Shining the Light on Indecent Behavior
- A Stately Response
- The State of the Union: Addressing Criminal Justice
- Mental Health: A Challenge For All
- A Different Kind of Mother
Number 5 is my favorite because it required me to think about the mental harm to women who must interact with their rapist because he is also her child’s father.
Last year, Jerry purchased a home on 5 acres with a lake to provide housing for men returning to society. His research on banning the box on rental applications solidified the need to provide housing for this vulnerable population. He also completed a three-part research project examining trends for women in arrests, sentencing, and incarceration.
Pessimistic, Yet Hopeful
Someone called me a pessimist this week, which surprised me because I’m often accused of looking for the good despite the obvious shenanigans. I don’t know if I am losing faith in people to do what is “right” or if this week’s gloom has capsized my optimism. Monday, 6/24, marked two years since the Dobbs decision, and Saturday, 6/29, will mark one year since the Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College decision. Tomorrow, 6/27, the first Presidential debate will take place in Atlanta. Just writing that tri of occurrences makes me sad.
However, I am hopeful because I have had the opportunity to work with Jerry. I am hopeful about the partnerships he will form to right the wrongs of the flawed criminal justice system he has talked about and written about over the past three years.
Please join me in thanking Jerry for his contributions to WISER and wishing him all the best with the Jordan Reentry Cooperative.
