Gritty Black Men: A Case Study of a School That Supports Them

• In Event: Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Religion: Not Just Who I Am, but How I Lead

Abstract

Recent shift in studies of black males and academic performance focuses on using a resilient framework. This study used a qualitative case study approach to understand black male college graduates' perceptions on the impact of the Middle or Early College high school (MEC) on their development of non-cognitive traits such as grit and persistence that may contribute to their success in attaining a college degree beyond an associate’s degree. Two-part semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand participants' (N=20) high school experiences at Eastern MEC. Participants’ perceptions of racial fairness and grit levels were also measured by the Racial Fairness Subscale and the Grit-S scales. Findings suggest that the Eastern MEC supports gritty black men. Implications are discussed.

Authors

• Anh M. Nguyen, Saint Joseph's University

• Aubrey H. Wang, Saint Joseph's University