About B3D
A New Vision for Global Academic Engagement
Why B3D Exists
Closing the Gap in Global Academic Mobility
Although Black doctoral attainment continues to grow globally, many Black doctoral professionals and scholars remain underrepresented in international academic engagement opportunities. Traditional global academic exchange programs often require existing institutional relationships, independently secured university partnerships, extensive proposal development, and access to funding that may not be readily available to many emerging scholars, adjunct faculty, independent researchers, or scholar-practitioners.
As a result, countless highly qualified Black doctoral professionals, scholars, educators, researchers, and executives never gain access to international teaching, speaking, research, or collaborative academic experiences, despite possessing valuable expertise and perspectives that universities and institutions worldwide increasingly seek.
B3D was created to address this gap by removing barriers to global academic mobility and creating curated pathways for Black doctoral professionals and scholars to engage internationally through structured deployments, cultural immersion, and collaborative exchange experiences rooted in the African Diaspora.
Our Mission
B3D exists to democratize access to global academic mobility and academic tourism experiences for Black doctoral professionals and scholars through curated university partnerships, international academic deployments, and culturally centered global engagement. We believe Black intellectual capital belongs within international classrooms, research collaborations, leadership forums, and cross-cultural exchange experiences throughout the world.
Our Vision
Our vision is to expand equity in education and increase global access, visibility, and cultural connection for Black doctoral professionals and scholars through academic mobility and academic tourism.
The B3D Framework
Three Interconnected Pillars
B3D is built upon three pillars that together create a transformative global engagement experience for Black doctoral professionals.
Academic Deployment
The first week of every B3D experience is dedicated to Academic Deployment, curated international academic engagements that connect Black doctoral professionals and scholars with universities, institutions, and organizations across the African Diaspora and beyond. Participants contribute through guest lectures, workshops, curriculum design and review, faculty collaboration, research exploration, executive education, mentorship, and speaking opportunities. These deployments expand access to global academic visibility while fostering meaningful knowledge exchange, cross-cultural engagement, and international collaboration between participants and host institutions.
Academic Tourism
B3D contributes to the growing field of Academic Tourism by leveraging travel as a vehicle for intellectual contribution, professional development, cultural diplomacy, and international collaboration. Unlike traditional leisure travel, Academic Tourism intentionally combines university engagement, destination immersion, and cross-cultural learning to create experiences that are both professionally enriching and globally transformative.
Cultural Heritage Exploration
The second week of every B3D deployment is dedicated to cultural heritage exploration: curated experiences throughout Diaspora-connected destinations that may include heritage tours, cultural immersion, culinary exploration, wellness experiences, and engagement with local communities and Black-owned businesses. B3D recognizes that global engagement for Black scholars should also include space for cultural connection and meaningful exploration of the African Diaspora. Free time for rest and relaxation is also built into the itinerary, ensuring scholars return home restored as well as inspired.
Global Alignment
B3D & The UN Sustainable Development Goals
B3D contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by expanding equitable access to global academic mobility for Black doctoral professionals worldwide.
Explore Our SDG AlignmentLeadership
Meet the People Behind B3D
B3D is led by Stephanie M. Jones, a global tourism strategist, cultural heritage expert, educator, and doctoral researcher, alongside a Global Advisory Board comprised of scholars, higher education leaders, and tourism thought leaders shaping the future of academic mobility and academic tourism.
Meet Our Leadership
Ready to Deploy Your Expertise Globally?
Join the waitlist for the 2028 Academic Deployment Cohort.