Chapter 2: Preparing Black Males For Collegiate Success: Exploring Black Males’ Experiences in Precollege Summer Programs

Now more than ever, the value of higher education often defines the range of access and mobility to the economic, social, and political spheres in the U.S. (Moore & Lewis, 2014; Palmer et al., 2014). Black¹ male students continue to be underrepresented in postsecondary institutions (Educational Testing Service, 2012). Scholars and researchers have contributed to our understanding of the reasons why Black males struggle in higher education (Cuyjet, 2006; Harper & Associates, 2014; Palmer et al., 2014; Roderick, Coca, & Nagaoka, 2011). Among their findings, key factors that Black male students must contend with included academic preparedness, access to college-bound curriculum, financial aid, access to college information, mentoring and advising, and family commitments and contributions. Thus, the pathways for Black male students to college are filled with a number of barriers that often impede their access to higher education. Researchers note that improving educational outcomes and quality for Black males will benefit them, their families and communities, and society writ large (Brooms, 2017; Jayakumar, Vue, & Allen, 2013; Levin et al., 2007; Palmer et al., 2010).