Who is Dr. Ty?

Dr. Ty has delivered dynamic keynotes, motivational talks, and lectures in Africa, Europe, Bermuda, Brazil, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States. He has shared the stage with top motivational speakers like “ET The Hip Hop Preacher” and Jeremy Anderson, and served on panels with renowned scholars like Rich Milner of Vanderbilt University, Tyrone Howard of UCLA, and Jay Harris of ESPN. 

Notably, drawing on his expertise and passion for athletics, Dr. Ty has served as a consultant, panelist, or presenter for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the NFL, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), and numerous high school, collegiate and professional teams in the U.S., South Africa, and Bermuda. He has provided audits for athletic organizations and led nationally recognized studies, such as his 2015 NCAA grant-funded study on black male student-athletes at the University of Missouri. He has also presented his work at the Arkansas Minority Health Summit, the University of Wisconsin, and University of Pittsburgh Athletics. He has also spoken for numerous K-12 schools, colleges, athletic programs, teaching and leadership events, and community organizations. These include Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations, the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Mizzou Women’s Soccer, the Bermuda Union of Teachers Convention, University of Western Cape (Cape Town, South Africa), and the Illinois Math and Science Academy.

Academic Experience 

Dr. Douglas is the inaugural Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to this appointment, he served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and an affiliate faculty member of the Black Studies program at the University of Missouri. He earned a Ph.D. in Educational Studies/Curriculum and Teaching with a concentration in Cultural Studies and a Post-Master’s Certificate in School Administration. Drawing on his international background, Dr. Douglas’ work explores the intersections between identity, community space (e.g. athletics, barbershops, churches and neighborhoods) and the social and cultural foundations of leadership, sport, and education.

Dr. Douglas is not your typical academic. He has taught in K-12 and post-secondary settings in the U.S. and Bermuda, founded and directed a GED Community School, hosted an annual Back to School Community Event, and served on the executive committee of the American Educational Studies Association. He is a border crossing brotha-scholar who authentically connects with people, while operationalizing his MEsearch and WEsearch for maximum community impact. The co-editor of a special issue on the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative in Teachers College Record—one of the leading education journals, Douglas’ work is crossing borders!

He has also been the recipient of many awards and scholarships, including the 40 Under 40 Columbia Business Times Award, the prestigious 2013-2014 UNCG School of Education’s Early Career Award, a 2013 Distinguished Dissertation Award by the American Educational Research Association (AERA), and the 2016 Mizzou College of Education Outstanding College Teaching Award.

DIVERSITY AUDITS

Dr. Douglas has trained and consulted with school, university, community, and athletic leaders in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion. He has conducted diversity audits, research studies, keynote speeches, and workshops for major professional and educational organizations globally. Whether it is a study abroad staff or the executive cabinet of a university or professional organization, Dr. Douglas provides tailored messages, grounded in cutting-edge research. He has also earned a certification from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Standards for Professional Practice Institute.