Jonathan M. Cox, Ph.D.

Race Scholar. Public Educator. Artist.

Dr. Jonathan Cox is a racial equity researcher and scholar. Through his work, he addresses issues of systemic racial and social inequalities, focusing on ideological, institutional, and interpersonal mechanisms and factors that maintain and reproduce or disrupt and reduce these inequalities. He has published works on discrimination and racial disparities in health, particularly for Black Americans; processes for improving organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); the impacts of contemporary racial ideologies on social processes; the racialized experiences of Black peoples in America; and the experiences of college students. 

A native of Dayton, OH, Jonathan had a variety of experiences that led to his unique perspective. He is a proud graduate of Hampton University, a historically Black university in Virginia, where he received a dual degree B.S. in health and physical education. His undergraduate experiences solidified a passion for ground-level engagement with college students, so after completing a Master’s degree at the Pennsylvania State University in college student affairs, he worked for several years as a college administrator in multicultural affairs. At his core Jonathan is an educator, which led him to obtain his PhD in sociology and pursue a career as a university professor.

As a scholar, Jonathan has published articles, book reviews, and op-eds in outlets including Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, Ethnic and Racial Studies, Sociological Inquiry, Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, Chronic Stress, the Journal of Gender, Race, and Justice, and Medium. He has appeared on a range of local, national, and international media outlets, including MSNBC, ABC, Scripps News, Spectrum News, Slate Radio, SiriusXM, and others, and been featured in print for outlets including ProPublica, The Atlantic, stern, and NBCLX. Jonathan’s public outreach is centered on issues of social inequality: racism, anti-racism, and justice in America, particularly for Black Americans; Black political activism; policing and criminal justice; and inequalities in housing and education for Black and Latinx Americans. He regularly gives talks for businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, and political organizations on topics like systemic racism and anti-racist practices, power and privilege, and diversity and inclusion.

Scholarly pursuits are only one part of Jonathan’s life; he truly believes in living a balanced, aligned life by maintaining body, mind, and soul. He is a bit of an amateur chef and foodie, and loves staying active. Jonathan is also an avid musician and artist, dabbling in vocal performance and occasionally spoken word.