Posts

The Crucial Role of Family and Social Networks in Cross-Racial Mentoring with Black Youth

Reference: Jones, K., Parra-Cardona, R., Sánchez, B., Vohra-Gupta, S., & Franklin, C. (2023). Forming an alliance: mentor’s perspectives on the role of family and social networks in cross-racial mentoring relationships with Black youth. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work. Summarized by Ellen Parry Luff About the Study: As community-based mentoring (CBM) programs […]

Black Children and Youth Can Benefit From Focused Research on Protective Community Resources

By Mavis Sanders, Dominique N. Martinez, Shana E. Rochester, and Jennifer Winston, Reprinted from ChildTrends Sanders, M., Martinez, D.N., Rochester, S.E., & Winston, J. (2023). Black children and youth can benefit from focused research on protective community resources. Child Trends. https://doi.org/10.56417/9297o3835j Child Trends recently announced that protective community resources (PCRs) would be one of two […]

The Mental Health Crisis Affecting Black Men & Boys

In “The Invisible Ache”, Courtney B. Vance and psychologist Dr. Robin L. Smith delve deeply into the alarming mental health crisis Black men and boys are experiencing across America. Drawing attention to the CDC’s unsettling findings of the rapid surge in suicide rates among this demographic, Dr. Smith highlights how historical racial trauma alongside the […]

Voices of Black youth remind adults in schools to listen — and act to empower them

By Tanitiã Munroe, Reprinted from The Conversation The idea of inviting students into classroom conversations that teach them to define and express their concerns, ideas and opinions takes inspiration from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The right to be heard is the general principle, and Article 12 of the […]

What are the motivations, program support, and personal growth that occur within cross-racial mentoring relationships with Black youth?

Jones, K., Parra-Cardona, R., Sánchez, B., Vohra-Gupta, S., & Franklin, C. (2023). Motivations, program support, and personal growth: Mentors perspectives on the reciprocal benefits of cross-racial mentoring relationships with Black youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 106996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106996 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest: Although Black youths are the most significant demographic of young people who receive […]

What are the benefits of being a peer mentor for Black and Hispanic high school students?

Opara, I., Metzger, I. W., Dawoud, S., Pierre, K., Assan, M. A., Garcia-Reid, P., & Reid, R. J. (2023). “It Makes Me Feel like I Can Make a Difference”: A Qualitative Exploration of Peer Mentoring with Black and Hispanic High School Students. Youth, 3(2), Article 2.  https://doi.org/10.3390/youth3020034 Summarized by Ariel Ervin  Notes of Interest: Although peer mentoring […]

Three Steps toward Implementing Equity-Centered Student Supports and Engagement Practices

By Amanda Briggs, Reprinted from the Urban Institute Many students of color seek out career and technical education (CTE) programs, particularly programs offered online, to further their education and increase their earnings potential. But previous research has demonstrated that grade point averages, CTE program completion rates, and earnings after program entry are lower for Black […]

New study explores how to incorporate a positive youth development framework.

Rajagopal, S., Harper, K., Holzhauer, K., & Kumra, T. (2022). Utilization of positive youth development framework by youth-facing organizations in Baltimore city. Journal of Youth Development, 17(4). https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2022.1225 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Positive youth development (PYD) is an approach that encourages youth to be productive, healthy, and engaged in their communities. Evidence shows […]

How White mentors address social justice topics in cross-racial, community-based mentorships

Jones, K., Parra-Cardona, R., Sánchez, B., Vohra-Gupta, S., & Franklin, C. (2022). All things considered: Examining mentoring relationships between White mentors and Black youth in community-based youth mentoring programs. Child & Youth Care Forum.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-022-09720-x Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Community-based youth mentorships are prominent interventions for Black youth and other underrepresented youth. However, […]

A Reimagined Vision for Black Child and Family Well-being From National and Local Leaders

By Mavis Sanders, Reprinted from Child Trends Despite significant gains toward achieving the full rights and protections of citizenship, Black people in the United States face significant challenges to their well-being that stem from centuries of racial discrimination, violence, and exclusion. Statistics recounting these challenges, while necessary to understand and address the pervasive impact of […]