Black students are underrepresented in doctoral programs in social work, and the disparity calls for greater attention to the preparation of such students for doctoral programs. Toward this goal, this article examines the sociocultural influences on the matriculation of Black students in social work who are the first in their family to pursue a doctoral degree. The author expands on the general concept of first-generation college students to capture a more inclusive population of students who may be equally disadvantaged in doctoral programs in social work. The author also identifies strategies social work faculty and administrators can use to facilitate the entry and achievement of Black students in the doctoral pipeline.