Toward a Theoretical Model: Examining Racism Readiness at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

• In Event: Roundtable Session 79
  In Roundtable Session: Making It Through Postsecondary Schooling: A Collection of Studies Attending to Race and Higher Education Success

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) prepare their students to respond to racism in predominantly White post-undergraduate environments, particularly workplace settings (e.g., firms, companies, and agencies) and graduate schools at predominantly White universities. A process operationalized from the data and defined as racism readiness explains the major theme. Racism readiness entails the “preparation of Black women and men to navigate and productively negotiate racist persons and encounters in predominantly white spaces.” Gaining an understanding of college-to-career transitions and maximizing productive educational outcomes are the primary goals of this study. Practical implications for HBCU students, faculty and administrators at HBCUs, and parents are offered.

Author

• Tryan L. McMickens, Suffolk University