How I Make It Through: Experiences Of Black Males In Predominantly White Communities

Presenter(s)

Stephen A. Vinson, EdD, LCSW

Assistant Clinical Professor, LCSW
University of West Florida

Contributor(s)

DV

Danielle Vinson, MSW

Owner, MSW, LCSW
The Bridge Cousneling and Consulting

This presentation explores the schooling experiences of eight Black high school males in a predominantly White community using a qualitative approach. It examines how they define their mental health and well-being through the Socio-Ecological Model of Mental Health and Well-being (Michaels et al., 2022).

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:

Understand the multifaceted nature of the schooling experiences of Black high school males in predominantly White communities, including both positive and negative aspects impacting their mental health and well-being.
Explore how Black male adolescents define and manage their mental health and well-being within the context of their schooling experiences, utilizing the Socio-Ecological Model as a theoretical framework.
Identify the various sources of support and challenges faced by Black male students in navigating their schooling experiences, including peer relationships, interactions with school staff, issues of school belonging, safety concerns, and encounters with racism and micro-aggressions.