Negotiating Black Male Identity While Navigating Predominately White Institutions

• In Event: 46.070 - Experiences of African American Males in Education

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed methodological study was to examine the effective strategies and behaviors Black male doctoral students use to manage their interracial interactions with their White faculty and peers at Predominately White Institutions (PWI) in the southeastern United States. An PWI was selected for this study, both because of its unique educational environment and because there is a dearth of research on black male student experiences at these institutions. This mixed methods exploratory study involved Q sort card sorting, and in-depth individual interviews. Additionally, co-cultural theory (Orbe, 1998) was applied to highlight key communication practices at a PWI that contributed to Black male doctoral students and positive university experiences.

Authors

• Christopher Oliver Johnson, University of Georgia

• Ain A. Grooms, University of Georgia - Athens