Honoring a Legacy of Firsts at Duke University
Samuel DuBois Cook changed the story at Duke University. He was the first Black faculty member to be hired and receive tenure there. His arrival wasn’t just a job—it was a turning point.
Named in his honor, the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity now stands as a hub for research on inequality. His legacy continues to shape how the university—and the nation—approaches fairness, justice, and progress.
From Scholar to Activist to Leader
Cook wasn’t just a professor. He was a trailblazer in political science, a trusted advisor to civil rights leaders, and a college president. His impact stretched far beyond classrooms.
Before leading Dillard University and joining Duke’s board of trustees, Cook stood out as a thinker who combined scholarship with action. He pushed for equality not with noise but with lasting systems of change.
A Center Rooted in Cook’s Vision
The Cook Center was founded in 2015 with a mission to study inequality and find real solutions. From housing and health to education and economics, the center reflects the values Cook held close.
The work being done today by researchers and students at the Cook Center is rooted in his belief: that data, when used right, can lead to justice.
Passing the Torch to New Leadership
This year, Duke named Tyson Brown as the new director of the Cook Center. Brown is known for using deep research to uncover how racism affects health and well-being.
He plans to build on the work of William A. “Sandy” Darity Jr., the center’s founding director. Darity, a respected economist and expert on reparations, guided the Cook Center for nearly a decade.
A Future Inspired by the Past
Brown says he’s honored to follow in Cook’s and Darity’s footsteps. He hopes to bring more voices into the center’s work and keep pushing forward the search for equity.
“It’s a tremendous honor to direct the Cook Center,” Brown said. “We will deepen our understanding of the root causes of social disparities and advance evidence-based approaches to achieving equity.”
Why Samuel DuBois Cook Still Matters
Samuel DuBois Cook wasn’t just the first. He was the foundation. His work made it possible for others to lead, speak, and teach at Duke.
His name on the Cook Center is more than a tribute. It’s a call to keep doing the work—to study, question, and change the systems that hold people back.
