About
Roland G. Fryer, Jr. is a Professor of Economics at Harvard University, the youngest African-American to receive tenure there at age 30. He is a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a former junior fellow in the Harvard Society of Fellows. His work focuses on racial achievement gaps, social inequality, and public policy, using empirical and experimental methods.
He served as Chief Equality Officer at the New York City Department of Education (2007–2008), developing initiatives like the Million Motivation Campaign, which earned a Titanium Lion at Cannes Lions. His research addresses topics such as distinctively black names, affirmative action, and the impact of the crack cocaine epidemic, among others.
Fryer has been honored with prestigious awards including the Presidential Early Career Award and was named to Time Magazine's 2009 'Time 100' list. His work has been widely covered in major media, including CNN’s Black in America documentary.
- Awards: Sloan Fellowship, NSF CAREER Award, Alphonse Fletcher Award
- Key Roles: Harvard Professor, Former NYC Education Chief Equality Officer
