Rutgers—Newark professor awarded honor for work in Black communities

Charles Payne, a Henry Rutgers distinguished professor in the Department of Africana Studies at Rutgers—Newark and the director of the Joseph Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Research, recently received the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award from the Urban League of Essex County (ULEC), according to a press release.

ULEC is an organization that assists Black and underserved communities in achieving social and economic growth throughout Essex County, according to its website.

The Daily Targum spoke with Payne about his work at the Joseph Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Research, his interest in urban education and social change and the significance of the award. He said that as the director of the Center, he works on research and demonstration projects that aim to improve the standard of living in urban New Jersey.

Payne said that a few large components of the Center's work are to increase the high school graduation rate in these areas and to create after-school programs for children, especially in Newark. He also said that the Center writes public reports on equity and education issues, such as those of Black students with disabilities in New Jersey and the New Jersey Education Equity Project.

The New Jersey Education Equity Project is a set of studies that restructure and present state data to illustrate educational experiences and outcomes throughout New Jersey. Payne was a principal investigator for this project.

"We want them also to be aware of places where education is being very successful to kids who are often not well served by our schools," he said. "So, it's both pointing out the problems and, to the degree possible, pointing out the solutions."

Payne said he created his own major, Afro-American studies, at Syracuse University during his undergraduate years, and he became one of the first people in the country to get a degree in the discipline. Furthermore, he said that due to his interest in history, he pursued a sociology doctorate degree so he could ask questions from different perspectives.

In addition, he said that his interest in school reform and social change started when he was involved with a group called the Black Youth of Syracuse. He said that the group helped young people from underserved neighborhoods and local housing projects apply for grants.

"But that experience also put me into touch with people who saw themselves as community organizers," he said. "So, I had that self-image by the time I was 21 or 22 that also led me into studying urban schools and social change."

Payne told the Targum that receiving an award from the Whitney M. Young, Jr. namesake is an honor. Whitney M. Young, Jr. was an American civil rights leader who launched initiatives to address racism and poverty in the United States. 

Payne said that he received a call from ULEC one afternoon about the award.

"I was very pleased, surprised," he said. "I had no reason to expect it, but very, very pleased."

After Payne receives his award on October 16, Payne said that he plans to continue his work at the Cornwell Center with a few upcoming events. He said that there will be events addressing how to encourage children to read and articles published on that topic in November and December.

Additionally, Payne said that those who want to be awarded the Whitney M. Young, Jr. honor work on things that are meaningful to them and their community.

"We do our best work when we're doing things that we're personally committed to," he said.