This dissertation explores the impact of racism, the campus racial climate, and the racial climate of graduate programs on the lived socialization experiences of Black students in doctoral programs. This dissertation utilizes a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of Black doctoral students, discusses the historical context within which graduate programs seek to socialize Black students to the academy, and describes the inherent challenges associated with the socialization of Black students to academic norms. This dissertation uses Critical Race Theory (CRT), the Campus Racial Climate (CRC) framework, and racial socialization to better understand the lived socialization experiences of Black doctoral students in the academy. This dissertation focuses on Black students and situates Black students within the context of the racism that permeates society, the campus racial climate, and the racial climate of graduate programs, while considering how the racial socialization of Black students aids in their socialization. This dissertation utilized a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to deepen our understanding of the Black doctoral student and to uncover the essence of the Black doctoral student socialization experience. The findings of this study are aligned with the findings of other scholars who have centered Black doctoral students in their research. In addition, this dissertation advances several originary phenomenological insights and understandings where Black doctoral students are concerned and proposes the Black Doctoral Student Socialization Circle, which includes the racial socialization of Black students as a key component. This dissertation details several implications for future research and practice and serves as a beacon for future studies that consider the perilous passage of Black doctoral students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]