Theory to Action: Engaging Black Youth in Culturally and Socially Relevant SEL via YPAR

• In Event: A Lever for Equity: Advancing SEL Through Youth Participatory Action Research

Abstract

Culturally relevant, research-based SEL resources matter, especially for Black youth. Black SEL, a nonprofit organization based in Durham, North Carolina was founded to serve as the social-emotional learning hub dedicated to Black communities. This hub strives to amplify the voices of Black SEL practitioners and extend SEL initiatives beyond the classroom to encompass the wider community. Black SEL empowers and nurtures the transformation of Black communities by honoring generations of community and ancestral wisdom, leveraging that wisdom to empower Black communities and schools, and fostering dignity and equity within these institutions.
Black SEL identified six pillars that will undergird its programming moving forward. These pillars are Lived Civics, Inclusion of Community Stakeholders, Civic Engagement, Social Responsibility, Black Self-Concept, and Critical Consciousness (Freire, 1970, Griffin et al., 2020, Loza, 2021, Watts, Williams, & Jagers, 2003). Its first attempt at transforming theory into action was a YPAR project that engaged 20 youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years-old. The youth met for 7 sessions over the course of 6 months to learn about social science research, identify a research topic of interest to them, create an interview protocol, analyze data, and create an action plan and poster presentation. Students began each session with an activity related to one or more of the Black SEL pillars.
Data were gathered and analyzed from the youth via three methods: 1. a pre and post-survey administered before the first session and after the last session, 2. post session feedback forms, and 3. two focus groups with students. After each session, the adult facilitators were asked to reflect on the process via focus groups. Analysis of these data sources revealed students’ insights about their experiences with the YPAR process, changes in attitude and knowledge after participating in the YPAR process, and thoughts about the Black SEL pillars and activities.
Findings from this research provide insights into 1. considerations for translating theory into action, 2. the types of activities that researchers and educators should consider as they engage youth in YPAR, and 3. the types of activities researchers and practitioners should consider as they engage in socially and culturally relevant SEL development.

Author

• Taneisha Lee Brown, Transformative Research & Evaluation