Analysis of African American Male Mathematics Majors

• In Event: Research Around Issues of Equity and in Equity-Sensitive Settings

Abstract

Studies reporting on African American male students’ mathematics experiences usually call attention to their lack of mathematics preparation for collegiate mathematics and/or the difficulties these students experience in collegiate mathematics courses more broadly. This qualitative study, however, highlights the successes of four mathematically successful African American mathematics majors who were enrolled in graduate programs in mathematics or mathematics education at the time of this study. Findings substantiate that internal characteristics, ability to negotiate the mathematics pipeline as racialized beings, positive outlooks concerning African American men in mathematics, and their HBCU undergraduate attendance facilitated their success in mathematics.

Author

• Christopher Charlie Jett, The University of West Georgia