Disrupting the Narrative of Failure: The Black Male High-Achiever Historically Black College/University Experience

• In Event: 29.082 - Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: 29.082-2 - Black and Latino Men Overcoming Obstacles to Equitable Education Opportunities

Abstract

In scholarly literature Black males are characterized as failures. To challenge this discourse, this study explores how nine high-achieving Black male experience and overcome failure at a historically Black college and university (HBCU). Results indicate that participants associated failure with future success, as they believed in their ability to overcome failure with the support of their family, friends, and university community. Moreover from the participants’ perspectives I argue that while Black males are unfairly depicted failures and may experience failure at times in their lives, failure does not define who they are and who they seek to become.

Author

• Ramon Goings, Loyola University Maryland