Belonging Matters: Strengths-Based Strategies for Black Male Success in Community Colleges

Abstract

In higher education, the language used to describe Black males often includes terms such as “underrepresented” or “minority.” While these terms are well-intentioned, they can contribute to feelings of exclusion among historically marginalized students. Theories such as the black sheep effect and tokenism highlight the psychological impact of being perceived as different or isolated within a group, reinforcing these concerns. Although acknowledging gaps in representation is important, fostering a strong sense of belonging for Black males in community colleges is equally critical. A key step in addressing this challenge is implementing a strengths-based approach for academic and student success—one that offers support without making students feel singled out. This chapter explores strengths-based approaches and their application in creating a sense of belonging for Black males through targeted academic and student success initiatives.