“It’s All Possible”: Urban Educators’ Perspectives on Creating a Culturally Relevant, School-Wide, College-Going Culture for Black Male Students

• In Event: Black Males in Higher Education Spaces

Abstract

This study investigated the Black Male Professional Development Initiative (BMPDI) which seeks to build the capacity of schools to support Black males' high school completion and college readiness. We drew on two bodies of literature, college access and culturally relevant education, to analyze survey data, focus group interviews, and written documentation of 18 teachers, counselors, administrators and support staff involved in the BMPDI from seven high schools in the Northeast. Our findings provide insight into the challenges and successes of envisioning and enacting a culturally relevant, school-wide, college-going culture across the schools for Black males. These findings draw attention to the recommendations needed to strengthen the high school-to-college-pipeline and improve college access outcomes for Black male students.

Authors

• Michelle G. Knight-Manuel, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Laura Vernikoff, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Kelly Gavin Zuckerman, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Michael Wilson, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Vaughn W.M. Watson, Michigan State University

• Joanne E. Marciano, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Iesha Jackson, Teachers College, Columbia University