<p> The obesity epidemic continues to be a major concern in the United States. The World Health Organization reported that 1.4 billion adults were either obese or overweight. African American (AA) women have the highest incidence of obesity worldwide. The obesity rate among AAs has continued to rise over the past 2 decades. The problem is that AA women prepare and consume high caloric foods that contribute to obesity. This qualitative descriptive study explored the perceptions that obese AA women have about altering how they prepare soul food to make it a healthier soul food. The empowerment model and the health belief model were used to frame this study. Data were collected using a non-probability purposeful sampling strategy. The sample for this study consisted of 4 focus groups with 6-7 obese AA women (<i> n</i> = 25) who prepare and consume high caloric soul foods and have a body mass index of 30 and above. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using a constant comparative analysis and NVivo 11 computer software. It was found that obese AA women were willing to alter their traditional soul food preparation only if it tastes good. It was also found that participants would maintain new healthier eating behaviors depending on the taste, availability of recipes to use, low cost of healthy ingredients, accessibility of the ingredients, learning how to substitute various herbs and spices, and amount of food waste. Barriers that could limit participation in an intervention designed to develop healthier eating habits were identified as ignorance and laziness, transportation issues, lack of motivation, lack of education, lack of time, no incentives, and bad reviews.</p><p>

<p> This project was developed to help black clergy and churches become effective in developing a place that supports families dealing with issues of Domestic Violence; since historically the black church has been a place of refuge and support for the black community and more specifically black women and children. </p><p> Chapter 1 defines Domestic Violence and states the Hypothesis, details the problem regarding the lack of an effective response by black clergy and predominately black churches regarding addressing issues related to domestic violence. Theological foundation supporting a call to action for clergy to understand that scripture speaks against violence and should not be misconstrued to justify violence in families struggling with these issues. </p><p> Chapter 2 the Literature review will focus on the problems and reasons why Black clergy and predominantly Black churches do not have a better awareness and response regarding domestic violence. The literature review will also address the significance of focusing on domestic violence in Black Churches. </p><p> Chapter 3 will explain the Methodology used to approach the subject of domestic violence with black clergy. Chapter three will further examine the project tool and the significance of having a pre-and post-survey following a Domestic violence awareness video; to achieve positive results for black clergy to bring about a difference for black churches to respond to parishioner&rsquo;s issues related to domestic violence. </p><p> Chapter 4 will affirm the hypotheses and analyze the qualitative research data collected regarding black clergy response pre-and post-survey. Chapter four will also summarize the research project and its findings. </p><p> Chapter 5 will conclude with researcher&rsquo;s final thoughts and suggestions for black clergy and churches moving forward in remaining actively involved with issues related to domestic violence.</p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple-case study was to explore the lived experiences and the challenges African American male nurses faced in leadership roles and in providing quality care for minority patients. Participants included 15 African American male registered nurses (RNs) working in executive, administrative, and managerial leadership positions in Florida&rsquo;s hospitals and other healthcare organizations. The participation criteria included being an African American male RN working in a leadership position in Florida with experiences in leadership and providing quality care for minority patients and at least 5 years of leadership experience. Participants completed in-depth face-to-face, digitally recorded interviews answering open-ended questions. Analysis of the interview data identified emerging themes and patterns using NVivo 10 qualitative data analysis software. Four major themes were identified: (a) specific leadership challenges associated with being an African American male leader, (b) general leadership challenges, (c) patient-level challenges limit the ability to provide quality care for minority patients, and (d) systemic challenges limit the ability to provide quality care for minority patients. Recommendations to healthcare leaders include a work environment free of gender segregation and racial discrimination, organizations adequately funded to deliver quality care, and strong leadership support for nurses and staff. Future studies should include additional geographic locations to increase the generalizability of findings to other populations.</p>

<p> This basic qualitative study addressed one research question: <i> How do African American male leaders in predominantly white K-12 independent schools describe their strategies for navigating social identity?</i> The study utilized the semistructured interview format (Merriam &amp; Tisdell, 2016). The criterion-based sample (Merriam &amp; Tisdell, 2016) included 16 participants who identified as African American men who were in their second year or more of a role that reported directly to a white head of school in a predominantly white K-12 independent school. </p><p> The study was grounded in the social identity theory of leadership, which &ldquo;asserts that leadership is a recursive, multi-dimensional process that centers on leaders&rsquo; capacities to represent, advance, create, and embed a shared sense of social identity for group members&rdquo; (Steffens, Haslam, Reicher, Platow, et al., 2014, p. 1002). The research question aimed to understand how nonprototypicality (Hogg, 2001) affects the experience of leadership for African American men in predominantly white work environments and the strategies they use to navigate those experiences. The study also had foundations in Wingfield&rsquo;s (2007) concept of gendered racism, which acknowledges that the experience of racism is different for African American men and African American women because of the intersection of race and gender. </p><p> Key findings from the study included identity entrepreneurship (Steffens et al., 2013; Hogg, 2016) and assimilation (Hornsey &amp; Hogg, 2000) as less utilized strategies for African American men leading in predominantly white K-12 independent schools. The key strategy used by the leaders was the cultivation of allies and mentors. The study also found that the leaders exhibited a sense of pride in being nonprototypical leaders as well as having feelings of anger, frustration, and isolation that align with other experiences of African American men in the workplace (Chavez &amp; Wingfield, 2018). Participants discussed the role of direct reports, colleagues, and their own supervisors in helping them navigate nonprototypicality&mdash;mainly the need for their colleagues to invest in their own diversity education. Implications of the findings are discussed for the social identity theory of leadership and for the concepts of intersectionality (Collins, 2015) and gendered racism (Wingfield, 2007). </p><p>

<p> This study focused on the experiences of Black male student-athletes in Division I sports and used critical race methodology to present counter narratives. These narratives highlighted successes and heightened awareness about the needs and concerns of an extremely important, but often silenced, population. The purpose of this research was to examine the experiences of Black male student-athletes in the Division I revenue-generating sports of basketball and football. This study examined how Black males perceived the effectiveness of the NCAA supports in place for their academic success, degree attainment, and postcollegiate leadership and career opportunities. This dissertation also sought to understand the extent to which the legacy of racism in the United States has impacted the collegiate experience of these athletes. This research utilized critical race theory to frame the counter narratives of Black male student-athletes participating in this study. Through counter stories, the researcher offered suggestions that more effectively serve NCAA Black male student-athletes during their transition into and beyond Division I university sports participation as a strategy to achieve social justice for a historically marginalized group.</p><p>