Black and Latino Young Men, Intersectionality, and Grassroots Youth Organizing Across California

• In Event: 2183 - Section on Race, Gender, and Class Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 11. Youth Movements

Abstract

This working paper begins to examine how and to what extent 14 youth organizations across the state of California support the leadership development of Black and Latino young men. Drawing on surveys, interviews, and participant observations, this research offers a theoretical framework that combines the concepts of social justice youth development and intersectionality as practice to highlight how grassroots youth development programming can promote the well-being of boys and young men of color in high poverty communities. Descriptive statistics suggest that young men are developing close ties to mentors, gaining a deeper understanding of policy issues affecting themselves and their communities, developing an understanding of social inequality, acquired concrete civic and organizing skills, and developed strategies that help lift them and their communities out of poverty at their respective organizations. Findings from participant observations and interviews at statewide convenings and coalitions suggest that the boys and young men of color are gaining an awareness of different identities, exposed to healing and trauma informed practices, an added value to leadership development, and fostering statewide networks of solidarity. Combined the findings suggest that the boys and young men of color who participate in what I refer to as intersectional social justice youth development are developing and intersectional understanding of inequality and social justice.

Author

• Uriel Serrano, University of California-Santa Cruz