In the News

For some borrowers, especially borrowers of color who come from lower-income households, student debt looms over every de­cision, said Haynes of Temple. Some students skipped opportuni­ties in college because they had to work and send money back home to support their families, he said. Others saw peers buy homes while they made repayments or might have been unable to com­plete their degree because the fi­nancial burden was too great.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

"It gives students motivation. It shows people who look like them who have made it out of similar situations, that are now in college, but then it also gives them someone that they can talk to help them navigate the collegiate process of how to apply when you're looking at financial aid."

NPR/WOSU

“It has truly been an honor to work with the City on this project  – to hear the lived experiences of Black boys and men in Philadelphia and to work towards creating a more equitable, representable, and inclusive city that includes them and their voices,” said Dr. DaVonti Haynes, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work and College of Public Health at Temple University.

City of Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Communication

“Engaging young Philadelphians in these conversations is a critical step for creating positive change within our city,” said Dr. DaVonti’ Haynes, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work at Temple University. “By providing youth a platform for open and intentional dialogue and discussion, we can empower the next generation of Philadelphia leaders to take an active role in shaping the future of Philadelphia and addressing the challenges that affect our city.”

ChesCo