Promoting the Positive Development of Black Males: Supporting Social, Behavioral, Emotional, and Academic Success

Abstract Adverse outcomes for Black males are well documented within the research. For instance, Black males have the highest rates of incarceration, the highest homicide rates, and the lowest life expectancy of any racial/ethnic group in America. Furthermore, within schools in America, Black males are overrepresented among students experiencing below-grade-level academic achievement, grade retention, truancy, dropout, and exclusionary discipline. As a result, it is imperative to identify effective strategies to address the social, behavioral, emotional, and academic disparities that disproportionately affect Black males in schools. As such, there needs to be a specific focus on solutions to these pressing issues. Interdisciplinary scholarship and collaborations are essential in providing solutions to the aforementioned issues to advance scholarship and move past deficit-oriented statistical presentations of problems of Black males. To support these efforts, this Special Topic section features multifaceted scholarship building upon the existing school, developmental, and applied psychological research to reimagine how we understand, engage with and support Black males in schools. Impact Statement This paper discusses the historical and current oppressive educational systems that Black males navigate in America. It also summarizes the scholarship included in this special topic section, identifying areas of opportunity to better support Black males in schools.