"Faith That Assured Me": Black Males' Faith and Spirituality as Mechanisms of Support and Persistence

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Seven
  In Roundtable Session: Research on Physical Education Teacher Education (Table 15)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore faith and spirituality as mechanisms of support and persistence for Black male graduate students within their predominantly white Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program. Methods: A collaborative autoethnography (CAE) approach was employed. Results: Results demonstrated how faith and spirituality were salient during the participants’ matriculation. Despite raced and marginalized experiences, their faith served as necessary spiritual support aiding perseverance through the predominantly white program. Discussion: Understanding faith and spirituality as mechanisms of support and persistence through a predominantly white PETE program provides useful insight into this relevant facet of the Black male participants’ experience for PETE programs seeking to recruit, retain, and support prospective and current Students of Color.

Authors

• Cory E. Dixon, Rowan University
  Presenting Author

• Jerraco Johnson
  Presenting Author

• Desmond Woodruff Delk, Langston University
  Presenting Author