Community Organizations and Empowerment-Based Mentors' Cultivation of Critical Consciousness With/for Youth of Color

• In Event: 30.080 - Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: 30.080-21 - Organizing in Diverse Communities

Abstract

This critical qualitative study draws from ongoing research exploring resources for youth in an under-served community as they conceive of their futures, particularly in higher education. Previous work indicated that youth could not identify community adults or socio-cultural supports that would help them realize their stated goals. Drawing on 18 in-depth interviews with adult community workers, this paper explores how these adults see their roles and responsibilities with these same youth. We present a continuum of their relational work with youth, framed by Christens’ (2012) notions of relational empowerment, as well as Stanton-Salazar’s concept (2011) of empowerment agents. We also explore the potential importance of an umbrella community organization in supporting these adults.

Authors

• David Thomas Lardier, Montclair State University

• Kathryn G. Herr, Montclair State University

• Autumn M Bermea, Montclair State University

• Brad Forenza, Montclair State University

• Pauline Garcia-Reid, Montclair State University

• Robert J Reid, Montclair State University