Dr. Donte T. Boyd is an associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Social Work. His research focuses on suicide prevention and mental health among Black adolescents and young adults, with particular attention to Black boys and young men, including Black sexual minority youth.
Grounded in a strengths-based approach, Dr. Boyd examines how family relationships, positive identity, cultural strengths and community connections support young people’s mental health and well-being. His work explores how developmental and cultural assets may protect against depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, while attending to the racism, discrimination and structural conditions that shape young people’s lives. He is particularly interested in what helps Black youth feel supported, value themselves, and see possibilities for their futures.
Dr. Boyd uses quantitative, qualitative and community-engaged approaches to inform culturally responsive suicide prevention strategies. He emphasizes working alongside youth, families and community organizations to identify priorities and develop research that is useful to the people and communities it is intended to serve.
His academic experience includes appointments as visiting research faculty at Yale School of Public Health and visiting associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco. His scholarship is also informed by his earlier social work practice in HIV services, including Ryan White case management and public health work with people living with HIV.
Education
PhD – University of California, Los Angeles, 2019 – Social Welfare
MSW – Washington University in St. Louis, 2014- Social Work
BA – University of California, Riverside, 2009 – Political Science
Areas of Expertise
HIV prevention behaviors
Families
Black MSM
Health disparities
Protective factors
Areas of Interest for Mentoring PhD Students
HIV prevention
Sexual health
Families
Protective factors
Health disparities
