“It Takes a Village”: How the Investment in Self, Community, and Environment Can Influence Low Income Black Children to Succeed

Location

King Building 127

Document Type

Presentation

Start Date

4-27-2018 2:00 PM

End Date

4-27-2018 3:20 PM

Abstract

In a society that often focuses on the negative outcomes of Black men and boys due to incarceration and school dropout rates, it is just as essential to focus on why these outcomes exist in the first place and how to prevent them. Similarly, Black girls and women are often pushed completely to the background of research. There is a need for additional support, encouragement, and motivation for African American children in order to help them gain social mobility. The purpose of my research is to analyze potential practices such as exposure, discipline, and relationships on behalf of faculty, students, and parents that can lead Black low income boys and girls to be promoted to the next grade while gaining a sense of self. I intend to show how one school, --Gary Comer College Prep located on the Southside of Chicago-- compares to other Chicago Public Schools in their attempt to motivate Black low income boys and girls through the few practices and policies currently in place. Although the self is the overarching factor that continues to impact one’s path through education and upward mobility, the investment by parents, faculty, local community, and environment can positively influence the value of self and the constant mobility of African American boys and girls from low income neighborhoods. If there is self affirmation accompanied by a stable relationship with one or more of the factors shown to motivate these individuals they are more likely to achieve academic and social mobility.

Keywords:

community, motivation, support, academic success, social mobility

Notes

Session IV, Panel 13 - Marginalized | Education
Moderator: Gina Pérez, Professor of Comparative American Studies

Major

Psychology; Africana Studies

Advisor(s)

Cindy Frantz, Psychology
Pam Brooks, Africana Studies

Project Mentor(s)

Clovis White, Sociology

April 2018

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Apr 27th, 2:00 PM Apr 27th, 3:20 PM

“It Takes a Village”: How the Investment in Self, Community, and Environment Can Influence Low Income Black Children to Succeed

King Building 127

In a society that often focuses on the negative outcomes of Black men and boys due to incarceration and school dropout rates, it is just as essential to focus on why these outcomes exist in the first place and how to prevent them. Similarly, Black girls and women are often pushed completely to the background of research. There is a need for additional support, encouragement, and motivation for African American children in order to help them gain social mobility. The purpose of my research is to analyze potential practices such as exposure, discipline, and relationships on behalf of faculty, students, and parents that can lead Black low income boys and girls to be promoted to the next grade while gaining a sense of self. I intend to show how one school, --Gary Comer College Prep located on the Southside of Chicago-- compares to other Chicago Public Schools in their attempt to motivate Black low income boys and girls through the few practices and policies currently in place. Although the self is the overarching factor that continues to impact one’s path through education and upward mobility, the investment by parents, faculty, local community, and environment can positively influence the value of self and the constant mobility of African American boys and girls from low income neighborhoods. If there is self affirmation accompanied by a stable relationship with one or more of the factors shown to motivate these individuals they are more likely to achieve academic and social mobility.