For all of the disheartening statistics that we hear about Black male underachievement at the collegiate level, still not enough research trains a spotlight on the individual narratives of Black male college students, particularly those who enroll at predominantly White institutions.
Even as many college and university administrators pledge each year to diversify their student populations, the challenges that beset Black males remain daunting and should be a growing concern for all of us who care deeply about the future of higher education.
Several years ago, President Obama ignited a national conversation about the plight of Black males with his My Brother’s Keepers initiative, but the longevity of those efforts remain unclear, particularly in the wake of Donald J. Trump’s ascension to the White House.
Administrators who really want to understand what Black male college students are thinking and experiencing should actually spend some time talking to those experts who engage with these students on a regular.
Dr. Derrick Brooms, an associate professor at the University of Louisville, has made a significant contribution to the field with the recent publication of his book Being Black, Being Male on Campus: Understanding and Confronting Black Male Collegiate Experiences.
Brooms interviewed a diverse group of 40 Black males attending two separate historically White institutions with academic majors in everything from mechanical engineering to Black studies. The results are informative.
“These were a diverse group of guys, but they all have the same kinds of wants and desires,” Brooms said of his subjects. “They all wanted to be successful academically and to be the best individuals that they can be. And yet, they often feel isolated on their campus and feel like no one cares about them.”
