<p> This dissertation seeks to examine the schooling experiences of African American males attending predominately White independent schools in California. Using Critical Race Theory as a theoretical framework and the factors contributing to schooling experiences, this qualitative research explores the role of student self-perception, teacher expectations, and parent involvement as contributing factors to participants overall schooling experiences. Utilizing counterstorytelling as a means of capturing the rich narratives shared by the participants, data analysis included holistic content coding based on themes that emerged from narrative examination. Findings indicate how parent involvement became the overarching critical component that was most significant in positive schooling experiences for Black males. These findings also support the need to continue to examine the shortage of literature examining the schooling experiences of Black males in predominately White independent schools.</p><p>

<p> Many studies have been conducted on the achievement gap between Caucasian and minority students (Bankston &amp; Caldas, 1998; Brown &amp; Donnor, 2011; Howard, 2008; O&rsquo;Conner, Lewis, &amp; Mueller, 2007; Osborne, 1999), as this gap has been a persistent problem for decades. However, despite more students of color gaining access to institutions of higher education, there is still a severe gap in college graduation rates (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2011), with African American males being the least likely group to be found on college campuses (Dunn, 2012), and thus, possessing the lowest college graduation rate. St. Peter Claver Academy (pseudonym) is a Catholic, male high school located in an inner city, low-income community in the western United States. The demographic composition of the school is 65% Latino and 35% African American. Despite the fact that 100% of seniors are accepted into a college or university, the graduates of St. Peter Claver Academy have very poor college graduation rates. This qualitative study investigated the narratives of seven African-American graduates of the school in order to understand their college experiences, looking closely at attrition, retention, resilience, and persistence. Through the lens of critical bicultural theory, the voices of these former students are central to this study in an effort to seek common threads about their experiences, which can provide educators useful insight on how to improve the college graduation rate for this underrepresented student population group.</p>

<p>ABSTRACT Background In the US, the incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer (PCa) are higher among African American men compared to European American men. Obesity is an important risk factor of PCa. Obesity is known to alter the gene expression profiles in prostate tumors. This study evaluates the impact of obesity and the expression of obesity-related genes on the progression of PCa in African American men. Methods The primary outcome of interest is biochemical recurrence (BCR) of PCa. There were 48 African American prostate cancer patients in the study. The tissue samples included 42 normal tissues, 40 Prostate Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PIN) and 45 tumor tissues (127 tissue samples in total). We assembled 99 obesity-related genes and determined the levels of their expression in the three types of tissue samples using Nanostring Technologies. An ANOVA test was used to compare the means for gene expression among normal, PIN and tumor tissue samples. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) to determine the association between obesity and BCR as well as gene expression and BCR. Results were regarded as statistically significant if p-values were less than 0.05. A Kaplan Meier Curve was constructed to depict the survival time and time to event (BCR) among obese and non-obese African American prostate cancer patients. Patients were followed up from the date of first surgery to the date of biochemical recurrence or date of last follow-up. Statistical analysis was done with SAS 9.4 software. Results Forty-three obesity-related genes were statistically significantly associated with biochemical recurrence. There was no association between obesity and biochemical recurrence (BCR) in obese African American men compared to non-obese African American men (OR= 2.03, 95% CI = 0.22 - 18.77, p-value= 0.53). Twenty genes showed an upward trend in gene expression among normal, PIN and tumor tissue samples including ADIPOR1, AKRIC4, ALOX12, ALOX15, CRYBB2, EIF5A, ERG, GNPDA2, HNF1B, HSD3B1, KLK4, LEP, MC4R, MTCH2, PCSK1, PIK3CB, SLC2A2, STAT1, SULT1A1, YY1. The probability of survival (not having BCR) is lower in obese African American men compared to non-obese African American men as indicted in the Kaplan Meier curve. In other words, the probability of developing BCR is higher in obese African American men compared to non-obese African American men. Conclusion We did not find a significant association between obesity and biochemical recurrence. However, we elucidated some obesity-related genes that could explain PCa carcinogenesis. Further studies are needed to determine functional significance of these selected obesity-related genes and the role they play in encouraging PCa progression in African American men.

<p> The purpose of this study was to gain a rich understanding of successful African American male student-athletes' perspectives on factors that supported their academic success in California community colleges. Using phenomenological methods, 13 African American male student-athletes from a large suburban single-campus community college were interviewed. Twelve of the 13 student-athletes participated in intercollegiate football, and one played basketball. The interview sample was comprised of students with ages spanning from 19 to 23 and grade point averages varying from 2.12 to 3.57, with most of the students above a 2.5 grade point average. The results of this study provide a unique look into the lives of African American male student-athletes as they describe their individual journeys that have led to their academic success. The young men discussed the effects of family, finances, relationship negotiation, academic resources, academic integration, and racial issues that served as a support to their success rather than as a barrier. This study raises awareness of the struggles Black student-athletes encounter in college and their resiliency in overcoming challenges by utilizing the barriers they face as motivation to succeed in both their athletic and academic endeavors. Additionally, this study provides insights that administrators, program developers, and educational leaders can use to ensure inclusiveness and to enhance programs and academic pathways that intentionally support first-generation, underrepresented, underserved students.</p>

<p> The word "crisis" has been used to describe the impact of the current educational system (K-12) upon the lives of African American males. Black males are the group most likely to be negatively stereotyped, the most likely to drop out of K-12, the most likely to be harshly punished, and the most likely to be labeled as a trouble maker. "Social and incarceration problems of young dropouts are quite severe among all gender and race-ethnic groups but are frequently more severe among men and Blacks" (Sum, Khatiwada, Mclaughlin, &amp; Palma 2009, para.16). It is up to community colleges to help remedy this crisis and to educate a host of unprepared Black men.</p><p> The purpose of this qualitative study is to look at what community college leadership is doing to retain and graduate African American men. The research is primarily focused on the success or failures of Black male initiatives (BMI's) and whether or not they have been proven successful in assisting black males to succeed. Questionnaires were sent to directors of Black male initiatives to complete. In addition, document research on African American male initiatives was reviewed. Finally, the data was analyzed to address the research questions. </p><p> Researched showed that Black BMI's help to retain and graduate African Americans at higher rates than African American men not in the program.</p><p> <i>Keywords:</i> crisis, initiatives, leadership, community college retention, Black males.</p>