TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose Little attention is given to black male experiences and decision-making process around college-going. A qualitative study (interpretive phenomenological analysis [IPA]) was conducted using a strengths-based perspective to understand the experiences of three first-generation black men college students attending a predominately white institution. Superordinate themes include perceived benefits to attending college, barriers to college admission and attendance and influential programs and supports. Recommendations for school counselors helping black males are included.Design/methodology/approach The authors used a narrative approach to illustrate the stories and experiences captured by the three young men who participated in the study. Hays and Singh (2012) suggested using a narrative approach for telling the stories of marginalized groups. IPA (Smith, 1996) was the approach used to identify superordinate themes, because the authors wanted to better understand the participants’ K-16 experiences. As a qualitative approach, IPA provides detailed examinations of personal lived experiences on its own terms rather than pre-existing theoretical preconceptions.Findings The participants’ accounts clustered around three superordinate themes: perceived benefits to college, barriers to college admission and attendance and influential programs and supports.Originality/value Although there are studies that provide insight on the factors that impact first-generation, black men’s success in attending college, there are few studies that have used a strengths-based perspective to investigate key experiences that lead to college enrollment. Those experiences that lead first-generation black male to attend college are pivotal and provide insight into important points of intervention and support. School counselors and other educators can use these insights to inform practices and the creation of supports for black men in their respective schools.
VL  - 14
IS  - 2
SN  - 2053-535X
DO  - 10.1108/JME-09-2019-0064
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-09-2019-0064
AU  - Hines Erik M.
AU  - Harris Paul C.
AU  - Mayes Renae D.
AU  - Moore III James L.
PY  - 2020
Y1  - 2020/01/01
TI  - I think of college as setting a good foundation for my future: Black males navigating the college decision making process
T2  - Journal for Multicultural Education
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 129
EP  - 147
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -