Groundbreaking evolutionary biologist Joseph Graves, Jr. is one of this year’s Genius Award honorees! On May 20, 2024, we will present Graves with the award at our 12th Annual Genius Gala.

Joseph Graves Jr., is the MacKenzie Scott Endowed Professor of Biology at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Sometimes called “Black Darwin,” Professor Graves is the first African American to receive a PhD in evolutionary biology. He has done pioneering work in the genetics of aging and is a prolific author and speaker dispelling misconceptions about biology and race.

Graves has written three books: The Emperor’s New Clothes: Biological Theories of Race at the Millennium, The Race Myth: Why We Pretend That Race Exists in America, and most recently A Voice in the Wilderness: A Pioneering Biologist Explains How Evolution Can Help Us Solve Our Biggest Problems.

Born in Westfield, New Jersey, in 1955 at the start of the civil rights movement, Graves had to teach himself to read because both his parents were illiterate. His elementary school incorrectly deemed him mentally disabled and placed him in a low academic track. He proved the system wrong when he graduated as the top-ranked student in his high school and went on to become an accomplished biologist and academic. A chess enthusiast, Graves says that his childhood interest in science was fueled by Star Trek.

Click here to learn more about our 12th Annual Genius Gala.

Genius Gala,  Joseph Graves Jr.