The African American Male Research Initiative (AAMRI) is a faculty-led academic initiative rooted in evidence-based practices to promote academic excellence among African American males. AAMRI includes a research focus that informs public policy experts, practitioners, and concerned citizens on how best to create and maintain a culture of Black male excellence in K-16 settings. This research guides a hands-on practical approach to help AAMRI achieve its major goals: to increase the four-year graduation rate for African American males at The University of Texas at Austin and to increase the number of Black males attending four-year colleges and universities across the state of Texas.
Housed in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, AAMRI partners with local and national organizations to provided professional development and special events for undergraduates and opportunities for the undergrads to mentor younger African American males.
Programs and Services
- Academic coaching and advising
- Free and unlimited tutoring
- Weekly empowerment meetings
- Monthly professional development workshops
- Undergraduate research lab on Black males
- Leadership Institute
- Internship program
- Student-athlete programming
- Study abroad (Beijing and Cape Town)
- College for a Day program
- Campus visitation hosting
Leadership Team
LEONARD N. MOORE, PH.D., Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement; Littlefield Professor of American History
Leonard N. Moore is the Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement and the George Littlefield Professor of American History, earning his B.A. from Jackson State University in 1993 and his Ph.D from The Ohio State University in 1998.
RYAN M. SUTTON, PH.D. Director, African American Male Research Initiative
Ryan Sutton earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in African-American studies, from Xavier University of Louisiana and earned a doctorate in counseling psychology from Howard University. He has published on African American youth and mental health, juvenile justice, and academic achievement.
JAMES C. BROWN, PH.D., Instructional Support Coordinator, STEM
After a distinguished career in the tech industry working in research and development at Motorola, Honeywell, and 3M, Dr. Brown currently leads the STEM initiative in the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence. Brown earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton and his doctorate in physics from Cornell University.
MALIK A. CROWDER, Assistant Director, Multicultural Engagement Center
Crowder was the inaugural academic advisor for the UT Black Studies program. He has mentored Longhorn football players and helped launch a successful program in the School for Undergraduate Studies. Crowder earned his master of science degree in human development at Abilene Christian University.
G. CHRISTOPHER CUTKELVIN, Coordinator, DDCE
Cutkelvin earned his undergraduate degree in public affairs from Texas Southern University (TSU) in 2013. He is credited with being a founding member of the Collegiate 100 in Houston, Texas and has spent time serving in leadership capacities, both nationally and locally, for the NAACP and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
DR. LOUIS HARRISON, Professor, College of Education
Louis Harrison, Jr. is currently a full professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas at Austin. He is the nation’s leading expert on racial identity and the African American athlete. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of New Orleans and his Ph.D. from LSU in 1997.
MARCUS W. JOHNSON, AAMRI Fellow
Johnson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Texas Christian University and his doctorate from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also an author, a public speaker, and an aspiring documentary filmmaker.
DR. DARREN KELLY, Deputy to the Vice President, DDCE
Darren Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from the University of Virginia. After graduating from UVA he spent several years working in corporate finance for GE. In 2012 he earned his Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in sports management. Dr. Kelly also directs the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.
PATRICK K. PATTERSON, Assistant Vice President for School Partnerships
Patrick K. Patterson oversees all of the DDCE’s pre-college academic readiness programs including. He earned his master’s degree in education from Chicago State University and was the highly acclaimed principal at Austin’s LBJ High School for six years and was named the state’s Administrator of the Year in 2010.
BRANDON JONES, Associate Director for Student Learning and Development, Housing and Dining
Dr. Brandon W. Jones holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and Master’s Degree in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University. He also earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2015. His research interests include intercollegiate athletics, minority student achievement, and academic support programs.
DEVIN WALKER, Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Devin Devin earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Upon graduation, he worked as a college advisor with the Posse Foundation. He has extensive experience working and living abroad. He is earned his doctoral degree in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at UT-Austin.
Graduate Assistants
DANIEL THOMAS
Daniel earned his bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Maryland, College Park where he also walked on the football team. He then earned his master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University and spent two years as a high school teacher in Maryland. Daniel also spent two years as a Learning Specialist for University of California, Berkeley football team before arriving at The University of Texas at Austin. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction.
JAVIER WALLACE, Austin, Texas.
Wallace earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Florida A&M University where he also played offensive lineman for the Rattler Football Team. Javier is of Panamanian heritage and has served as athletic director at an international school in the Republic of Panamá. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Physical Education Teacher Education.
JAYLEN WRIGHT, San Jose, California.
Jaylen earned his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Sociology from Texas A&M University where he ran track as a 110m and 400m hurdler. He currently works as an Academic Assistant for Texas Athletics and is pursuing a master’s and doctoral degree in Health Behavior and Health Education.
DELANDO CROOKS, Atlanta, Georgia.
Delando earned his bachelors in Communication Studies and masters in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies from Vanderbilt University where he also played football. During his masters, he worked with the Office of Transition Programs to navigate first generation and transfer students and with the Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education (VU-EDGE) to coordinate a graduate school fair for student-athletes. He is pursuing his Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership.
BRANDON CROOMS
Brandon earned his bachelor’s degree at North Carolina A&T State University, where he served as the first president of the Phi Epsilon Kappa academic fraternity. He earned his Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction. Brandon has played semi-professional basketball and is a former community college instructor.
