This defense will be held both in person in K324 and online via Zoom.

The Power of Brotherhood: SAAB's Role in Promoting School Belonging and Cultural Wealth for Black Male Students

Abstract 

School belongingness is the belief by students that the adults in the school care about their learning and them as individuals. Students are more likely to succeed when they feel connected to their school. In this qualitative dissertation study, I investigated the impact of a mentorship program for Black male high school students and its implications for promoting school belonging and cultural capital wealth. By exploring the experiences of 12 Black male high school student members of SAAB (Student African American Brotherhood), a nationally recognized mentorship program, my research revealed what it means to be a Black male SAAB student, how mentors can create supportive ecosystems for the students, and what condition make it difficult for students to feel connected at school. During the 1st SAAB Summit held in Springfield, MO, the students in this study shared how the SAAB program impacted their personal growth, leadership skills, networking opportunities, and sense of belonging through the following themes: (1) the transformative power of mentorship and adult connection, (2) cultivating a sense of community and brotherhood, which at times can feel elitist and exclusionary, (3) navigating barriers and fostering resilience, and (4) shaping future goals and personal growth. The implications of this research extend beyond looking at the relationship between a sense of belonging and academic achievement to include the broader context of how SAAB helps to develop students’ strengths, talents, and experiences that people of color bring to their communities and educational settings in the form of cultural capital wealth. My research adds to the literature by illuminating new understandings of the intersections between Yosso’s cultural capital wealth framework and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory. It also contributes to the ongoing discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, providing valuable insights for educators and stakeholders interested in creating environments that foster a sense of belonging and support for the academic success of Black male students.

The defense will be held in person in K 324 and via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/92376767215. This link will be resent in a confirmation email the day before the defense as well.