Personal and Cultural Assets of Black Girls: Celebrating the Strengths of Black Youth Intervention

• In Event: 16.056 - Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: 16.056-16 - Issues of Race and Gender: African American Students

Abstract

An achievement gap continues to persist between Black and White adolescents within the United States (NAEP, 2013). Explanations for the gap range from preparation in the subject area to lack of parental involvement. However, little is known about adolescents’ experience within context (e.g., schools), and even less on the educational experiences of Black girls. Thus, the present study was a pilot one-group pre-post test design exploring the impact of the, “Celebrating the Strengths of Black Youth”, 10-week intervention on the developmental competencies (e.g., racial pride & self-esteem) of Black girls attending a predominately white school. Results indicated increases in grade performance and personal and cultural assets. These findings have major implications on identity and achievement beliefs of Black girls.

Author

• Sheretta T. Barnes, Washington University in St. Louis