Mamie P. and Kenneth B. Clark Fund

The Mamie P. and Kenneth B. Clark Fund was established in 2003 to honor the Clarks and to perpetuate their work as pioneers in understanding the psychological underpinnings of race relations and in addressing social issues such as segregation and injustice.

The Clarks were the first and second African-Americans to receive PhDs from Columbia University. Their famous doll experiments, in which they asked children to express their likes and dislikes about brown- and white-skinned dolls, led the Clarks to conclude that the segregation in schools and society was psychologically damaging to the children. These studies are believed to be the first social science evidence considered as hard fact by the U.S. Supreme court, in Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka.

The Fund will support research projects intended to lead to an increased understanding of personal factors, social arrangements, social institutions and physical factors affecting the well being of disesteemed or disadvantaged persons. The research should be of significant import to have a bearing on both national policy and social practices of family, education, and government institutions at both local and national levels.

The goal is to raise $1 million for this fund. Thanks to the Turrell Fund, the Foundation for Child Development, and the many generous individuals, the Fund currently holds more than $250,000.

To make a donation to the Fund, click here.

The Fund is not currently accepting applications.