Grit and Grace: The Community College Journey of Black Men

Abstract

This chapter will examine the Academic Resilience framework and explain how resilience results in personal and academic success for Black males on community college campuses. Furthermore, this chapter will discuss the critical and transformative role that education practitioners play in creating a conducive environment in the college classroom for Black male student to blossom, thrive, and prosper. It will highlight the systemic deterrents that Black males encounter in post-secondary education and beyond and suggest effective approaches that can help disrupt and thwart those challenges. With that in mind, the chapter intends to provide statistical data that supports the urgency for this framework as part of the mission and efforts of practitioners in community colleges. Coupled with this, the chapter will help to reshape the purpose of educators through an informative and anecdotal style delivery, while also serving as a source of inspiration of Black male students who desire to research and discover more about academic resilience and their own assets and mentalities. This comprehensive discussion will serve as a model and essential source for aspiring educators on college campuses, as well as new and veteran faculty and staff who serve black male scholars in the collegiate arena.