Chapter 12: “We Are Aamri”: Redefining Black Male Excellence at The University of Texas at Austin

Although the pursuit of select research universities for certain segments of society is often viewed as natural a step as moving from preschool to the first grade, it is a much steeper climb for many young Black men in the United States. Historically, for many young Black males, the journey to higher education is one that appears out of reach, uncommon, a form of Whiteness, and typically portrayed as unnecessary (Harrison, Sailes, Rotich, & Bimper, 2011; Majors & Billson, 1992; Ogbu, 2004).¹ Select research universities appear out of reach because Black communities have very few, if any, ties or connections to what research university communities offer. While their White and Asian counterparts are attending academic camps for multiple weeks at select research universities across the United States as well as finding education abroad with their parents, the majority of young Black males are limited in their access to such opportunities.