A new study led by a sociologist at the University of Cincinnati has found that Black male initiative (BMI) programs enhance Black male students’ sense of belonging and success in college. The study was led by Derrick R. Brooms, an associate professor of sociology and Africana studies.
Dr. Brooms studied Black male students from three different educational institutions and found that their out-of-class involvement in BMI programs strengthened their sense of community. Black male students are often faced with issues of isolation due to the frequently low number of Black male students on college campuses. However, participation in BMI programs helped these students access social and cultural capital, provided support, and aided in their college success, according to the study.
According to Dr. Brooms, “this research shows that creating an environment where these students feel valued, their voices are heard, and they are connected to people who believe in their abilities supports their transition, academic efforts, personal development, and persistence.”
Dr. Brooms holds a bachelor’s degree in African and African American studies from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in sociology from Loyola University in Chicago. He is the author of Being Black, Being Male on Campus: Understanding and Confronting Black Male Collegiate Experiences (State University of New York Press, 2017).
The full study, entitled “Exploring Black Male Initiative Programs: Potential and Possibilities for Supporting Black Male Success in College” was published in The Journal of Negro Education. It can be accessed here.
