# Fellow of the PhD Excellence Initiative J. Monroe Gamble IV feature, citing Prof & Dean Emeritus Peter Henry, the Initiative's Principal Investigator; research from Prof Paul Wachtel spotlighted: "Why Are There So Few Black Economists at the Fed?" 1 School News February 2, 2021 ![The New York Times Logo](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/uat_027320.jpg?itok=W8xBr66g)> Excerpt from [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/02/business/economy/federal-reserve-diversity.html?campaign_id=4&emc=edit_dk_20210202&instance_id=26661&nl=dealbook®i_id=63335335&segment_id=50807&te=1&user_id=9ae394f6f495a43c4177710c566794bf)-- “Ms. Daly said Mr. Gamble had made a 'material change' at her Fed. And improving is a priority because, as she puts it, ‘policymaking reflects those around the table.’ Mr. Gamble is now in a predoctoral program at New York University. Mentors who helped him along the way, including Lisa Cook at Michigan State University, Ms. Daly at the Fed and now Peter Blair Henry — a leading Black economist whom he is working with at N.Y.U. — were critical links in the chain that is leading him to a Ph.D. His story suggests that diversifying is a matter of tearing down structural barriers that have long shut out talented people of color and offering support and inclusion once they arrive.” [Read More](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/02/business/economy/federal-reserve-diversity.html?campaign_id=4&emc=edit_dk_20210202&instance_id=26661&nl=dealbook®i_id=63335335&segment_id=50807&te=1&user_id=9ae394f6f495a43c4177710c566794bf)