Anthony Bradley on a data-centered view of black progress and human flourishing

The Invisible Men

In this episode, Ian and Nique are joined by Anthony Bradley — a Research Fellow at the Acton Institute and professor of religious studies at the King’s College, where he directs the Center for the Study of Human Flourishing. Anthony discusses the importance of developing a data-centered outlook on black success in America. Anthony grew up in the well-off black suburbs of southwest Atlanta, where he was surrounded by countless examples of black men and women who had built meaningful careers by merging a deep desire for progress with a strong moral grounding. After hearing “The Firing Line” mentioned by Michael J. Fox’s character in “Family Ties,” Anthony began watching William F. Buckley’s show regularly. It was watching this show that first introduced Anthony to the work of Thomas Sowell, which would later inspire him to incorporate a data-centered approach in his outlook on human progress. From policing, to the racial wealth gap, to marriage, Anthony walks Ian and Nique through myriad facets of the human experience and explains why a data-centered approach is crucial to the study of human flourishing. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about Anthony’s acronym “D.A.V.E.,” and why it holds important encouragement and wisdom for “Darryls” in the 21st century.