Frequently Asked Questions
The Dissertation DefenSe
What is "WHO REALLY CARES?" and why should I attend?
“WHO REALLY CARES?” is Bruce C. Carter’s doctoral dissertation defense examining violence, illiteracy, non-active fathers, and low self-esteem among Black males ages 12-26 in America.
This public defense presents years of evidence-based research on the four-pillar, household-first strategy for reducing violence and strengthening communities along the I-94 corridor, addressing root causes rather than symptoms.
You should attend if you’re a community leader, educator, parent, policy maker, or anyone seeking evidence-based solutions to reduce violence and strengthen communities. This goes beyond academic theory, but instead accounts for strong, research-backed strategy with practical implementation pathways.
When and where is the dissertation defense taking place?
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM CST
Location: The University of Texas at Arlington – Lone Star Auditorium
Address: 300 W. First St
Arlington, Texas, 76010
Format: In-person
Cost: Open to the public at no cost but MUST RSVP.
Is this event really free? Do I need to register?
Yes, the dissertation defense is completely free and open to the public. While registration is not required, we encourage you to RSVP at carterempowers.com/event/dissertation-defense/ to receive event reminders, parking information, and in-person accommodations. Reserving your seat helps us plan for attendance and ensures you receive all event updates.
What happens after the dissertation defense?
The research phase concludes with the November 16 defense. The real work of scaling solutions across communities begins immediately after.
POST-DEFENSE PRIORITIES:
- Publishing research findings in academic and practitioner journals
- Expanding the Empowerment Network to new cities
- Training community leaders on implementation
- Developing partnerships with schools, courts, and employers
- Securing funding to scale the four-pillar strategy beyond the I-94 corridor
This, by far, is not the end! This is the beginning of more evidence-based, community-led transformation everywhere.
UNDERSTANDING THE RESEARCH & STRATEGY
What is the difference between a "solution" and a "program"?
This is a critical distinction at the heart of Bruce Carter’s work:
PROGRAMS:
- Treat symptoms in isolation
- Depend on external funding (grants, donations)
- Create dependency on the organization
- Disappear when funding ends
- Measure activity, not impact
- Are time-limited and politically dependent
SOLUTIONS:
- Address root causes systemically
- Build toward self-sustainability
- Build community capacity and ownership
- Outlast political cycles and grant periods
- Focus on measurable, lasting outcomes
- Create infrastructure that continues working after initial investment
Example: A program might offer a 6-week job training class that ends when the grant expires. A solution creates economic pathways through entrepreneurship training (Standing On Business), connects participants to employers, provides ongoing mentorship, and builds a peer network—creating sustainable earning opportunities that don’t depend on continued grant funding.
What is the four-pillar household-first strategy?
Traditional programs fail because they address symptoms in isolation. The four-pillar strategy treats households (not just individuals) as the unit of change, addressing mindset, income, nutrition, and father engagement simultaneously.
THE FOUR PILLARS:
1. Solid Foundation Certification (SFC)
Personal development BEFORE technical skills; builds self-worth, financial literacy, discipline, and entrepreneurial mindset
2. Standing On Business (SoB)
Economic empowerment through entrepreneurship training, job placement, and legal earning pathways
3. Eatz & Learn (E&L)
Household nutrition and education integration through family meals, improved school attendance, and positive media content
4. Becoming The Best Dad (BTBD)
Structured father engagement, co-parenting skills, school presence, and rites of passage
Research shows households participating in multiple pillars experience greater reductions in violence involvement than single-intervention households. This synergy effect proves integrated approaches work better than isolated programs.
What evidence supports this four-pillar approach?
This dissertation presents years of rigorous research conducted nationally with a recent concentration along the I-94 corridor in Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Additionally, over 15+ years working with this specific demographic of individuals nationally first-hand. The research examines:
- How personal development affects self-regulation and violence desistance
- How economic pathways impact income stability and incident involvement
- How household routines increase school attendance and parental engagement
- How father presence reduces violence risk and improves academic outcomes
- Whether multi-pillar participation yields greater impact than single interventions
The findings are backed by quantitative data, qualitative interviews, and mixed-methods analysis using household-level fixed effects and matched comparison groups.
Why focus specifically on Black males ages 12-26?
The research addresses a critical and underserved population facing disproportionate violence risk, educational barriers, and systemic challenges. However, the four-pillar strategy is applicable across demographics. The household-first approach and evidence-based interventions can be adapted to serve any community facing similar challenges around violence, father engagement, education, and economic opportunity.
GETTING INVOLVED
How can I implement these strategies in my community?
There are several pathways:
- Attend the dissertation defense (November 16) to understand the research and evidence
- Join the Empowerment Network at network.carterempowers.com to connect with other solution-builders and access implementation tools
- Contact Bruce directly for speaking engagements, consultation, or partnership opportunities
- Subscribe to the newsletter for research updates and implementation case studies
- Explore individual solutions that align with your community’s needs (SFC, SoB, E&L, BTBD)
The goal is community ownership and capacity-building, not dependency on Bruce or any single organization.
What is the Empowerment Network?
The Empowerment Network is NOT another social media platform—it’s a community of solution-builders committed to implementation, not just conversation.
MEMBERS RECEIVE:
- Access to the full Solid Foundation Certification course
- Dedicated groups for each of the four pillars
- Peer connections with others actually implementing strategies
- Tools, discussions, and playbooks for real-world impact
- Accountability partners who understand the work
- Access to research findings and best practices
MEMBERSHIP TIERS:
- Free Community Member – Basic access
- Learners – Full course access
- Community Sponsor – $25/month recurring with premium access
Join at network.carterempowers.com
I'm a community leader/nonprofit director. How can we work together?
Bruce C. Carter partners with organizations ready to implement sustainable solutions. Contact him directly through carterempowers.com to discuss:
- Speaking engagements for your staff, board, or community
- Implementation consulting for the four-pillar strategy
- Strategic partnerships aligning your existing work with evidence-based approaches
- Training and capacity building for your team
- Research collaboration if you’re collecting data or seeking evaluation support
I'm a parent. What can I do right now?
Start with what you can control:
1. Eatz & Learn (E&L): Begin having regular family meals. Use mealtime for conversations about school, goals, and values.
2. Solid Foundation Certification: Work on your own personal development first. When parents model self-regulation and goal-setting, children follow.
3. Father Engagement (BTBD): If you’re a father or co-parent, increase your presence at school events, communicate respectfully with your child’s other parent, and create consistent routines.
4. Join the Network: Connect with other parents implementing these strategies at network.carterempowers.com
How can I stay updated on research findings and events?
Subscribe to the Carter Empowers newsletter at carterempowers.com to receive:
- Dissertation research updates and findings
- Evidence-based community transformation strategies
- Speaking engagement announcements
- Solution implementation case studies
- Exclusive access to research insights
We respect your privacy. No spam, just solutions. Unsubscribe anytime.
I have a question not answered here. How can I reach out?
CONTACT US DIRECTLY:
- Email: bcarter@carterempowers.com or outreach@carterempowers.com
- Website: carterempowers.com
- Social Media: @CarterEmpowers
For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, or speaking requests, use the contact form at carterempowers.com.
