Out From the Shadows: A Counternarrative of Successful African American Males in Schools

• In Event: 69.057 - Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: 69.057-1 - Competing Narratives Around the Lives of Black and Latinx Students in U.S. Schools

Abstract

Guided by Critical Race Theory, multiple in-depth interviews were conducted with four successful African American males in college. Data analysis involved respondent validation, data reduction, coding, and theme construction. A quasi-fictional counter-narrative was constructed from the data to show the destructive, deficit-laced, majoritarian narrative in education alongside its counter-story of educational success. Six themes were interwoven into the counter-narrative: extracurricular activities helped develop character and identity, generating solutions to their own problems, exposure to rigorous curriculum and college-like culture in high school improved self-efficacy, challenges were situational and did not reflect who they were as individuals, support from others to make successful transitions, and character traits gave strength to meet challenges faced in school and in life.

Authors

• Kevin Scott, Fulton County Schools

• Richard W. Schmertzing, Valdosta State University

• Lorraine C. Schmertzing, Valdosta State University