Dr. Obie Clayton, JR.

DR. OBIE CLAYTON, JR.
The Edmund Asa Ware Distinguished Professor
Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, Georgia

Dr. Obie Clayton, Jr., an Endowed Chair at Clark Atlanta University, is currently the Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan, an ASA Edmond Ware Distinguished Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and Director of the Center of Undergraduate Research and Creativity. Previously, Dr. Clayton served as the Donald L. Hollowell Distinguished Professor of Social Justice and Civil Rights Studies at the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work. Previously, he was Director of the Morehouse Research Institute and served on the faculty at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Dr. Clayton is the editor of An American Dilemma Revisited: Race Relations in a Changing World (Russell Sage Foundation, 1996) and co-editor of Black Fathers in Contemporary American Society: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Strategies for Change (Russell Sage Foundation, 2003). Professor Clayton is a graduate of Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. He holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in sociology from Emory University in Atlanta.

Obie’s interest in fatherhood dates back over 25 years when he first began investigating the effects of mass incarceration on family formation. His current research focuses on reentry and assisting fathers in adjusting to family life when they return home from prison. Additionally, Obie is working with fathers on ways to support their children through non-financial means.

A. Professional Preparation

Emory University Atlanta, Georgia Sociology Ph.D., 1981
Emory University Atlanta, Georgia Sociology M.A., 1978
Millsaps College Jackson, Mississippi Religion/Sociology B.A., 1976

B. Appointments

The Edmund Asa Ware Distinguished Professor and Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Clark Atlanta University and Editor of Phylon 

The Donald L. Hollowell Distinguished Professor of Social Justice and Civil Rights Studies at the University of Georgia School of Social Work and Founding Director of the Center for Social Justice, Civil and Human Rights-The University of Georgia
(August 8, 2011 – January 1, 2014).

Adjunct Faculty of the Morehouse Research Institute and the Chivers – Grant Institute for the Study of Family and Community Issues (August 2011 – Dec. 2012 ).

Director of Sponsored Programs and Director of the Morehouse Research Institute
(January 5, 2008- August 29, 2011).

C. Publications

• Clayton, O. & Hopps, J. (2013). Human rights and social work in historical and contemporary perspectives. In C. Franklin (Ed.-in-Chief), Encyclopedia of Social Work. DOI:10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.943

• Clayton, O. & Hopps, J. (2012). Marriage and Mental Health: Coping with Depression and Other Problems (Tip Sheet). Fairfax, VA: National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families.

• Clayton, O. & Hopps, J. (2012). It’s Not All About Money: Non-Financial Ways Non-Custodial Parents Can Help Their Families (Tip Sheet). Fairfax, VA: National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families.

BOOKS:
• An American Dilemma Revisited Race Relations in a Changing World: An American (editor). 1996. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

• Black Fathers in Contemporary American Society: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Strategies for Change. Eds. O. Clayton, R. Mincy, and D. Blankenhorn. 2003. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

D. Synergistic Activities
President, Association of Black Sociologists. 2014-2015.

HONORS AND AWARDS:
President, Association of Black Sociologists. 2014-2015.

BOARDS:

Supreme Court of Georgia’s Commission on Children, Marriage, and Law (2006- present)

E. Collaborators & Other Affiliations

2014 Received $100,00.00 grant from the Mellon Foundation to incorporate research into the social science curriculum.

Foundation funding of $30,000.00 from the Carnegie Corporation for a symposium on the Shelby decision and its effect on minority voting behavior.

Received $24,000.00 from the Russell Sage Foundation to publish the papers from the Shelby decision.

2010 Received $ 1,000,000 grant from DHHS/Office of Minority Health for a consortium of 5 HBCU’s to address Minority Male Health.
2009 Received $ 900,000 grant from DHHS/Office of Minority Health for a consortium of 5 HBCU’s to address Minority Male Health.

Received $570,000 from the Administration for Children and Families/DHHS to develop methodologies to strengthen families.

2008 Received $ 900,000 grant from DHHS/Office of Minority Health for a consortium of 5 HBCU’s to address Minority Male Health.

Received $570,000 from the Administration for Children and Families/DHHS to develop methodologies to strengthen families.