The leadership gap: Where are African-American male students? / Shin, Victor S.

Format:

Book

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Shin, Victor S., author.

Contributor:

Thomas, Ebony E., degree supervisor.

Jr, Howard C. Stevenson, degree committee member.

Jordan, Will J., degree committee member.

University of Pennsylvania. Educational Leadership, degree granting institution.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

African American studies.

Secondary education.

Educational Leadership--Penn dissertations.

Penn dissertations--Educational Leadership.

Local Subjects:

African American studies.

Secondary education.

Educational Leadership--Penn dissertations.

Penn dissertations--Educational Leadership.

Genre:

Academic theses.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (197 pages)

Contained In:

Dissertation Abstracts International 78-05A(E).

Place of Publication:

[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] : University of Pennsylvania ; Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2016.

Language Note:

English

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

text file

Summary:

With incidences such as the Trayvon Martin shooting and the Freddie Gray death dominating the headlines, it is clear that racial tension and sensitivities are still prevalent in American society. These events highlight the struggles that many African-Americans are facing as a part of their daily lives. African-American males have had to overcome many obstacles and challenges to receive equal treatment, rights, and protections. Unfortunately, their journey for equality is long from over.

Cardinal Potter High School in Maryland was a diverse and supportive community. African-American males made up a large percentage of the student body. For many, opportunities associated with academic leadership activities had been underutilized. When it came to participation in Student Council and other formal leadership organizations, many African-American males were not choosing these organizations and mainly participated in athletics or cultural relevant clubs causing a leadership gap.

This qualitative research study looked at the various causes or influences on African-American males in participating in formal leadership activities. For this study, leadership is defined as the ability to positively influence others in an official position or through participation. By interviewing 25 graduates of the school, I was able to determine if there were structural issues within the school and societal influences that attributed to this leadership gap. Further, I explored various other factors such as media, family life, peer groups, and other areas. Finally, I was able to identify motivating factors that influenced African-American males to take leadership roles and countered internalized beliefs on masculinity, success, and leadership.

The following research questions helped to direct this study: 1. What factors do African-American male alumni of Cardinal Potter High School attribute to the underrepresentation of African-American males in student academic leadership roles? 2. What factors of school culture do participants attribute to this leadership gap? 3. What aspects of the African-American community contribute to promote African-American male leadership?

Notes:

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 78-05(E), Section: A.

Advisors: Ebony E. Thomas; Committee members: Will J. Jordan; Howard C. Stevenson, Jr.

Department: Educational Leadership.

Ed.D. University of Pennsylvania 2016.

Local Notes:

School code: 0175

ISBN:

9781369469004

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.