A phenomenological study of economically and academically successful black men

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of a selected group of 15 black males to identify the perceived internal and external aspects that have influenced their economic and academic success. A qualitative phenomenological study was chosen as the methodology that would be most applicable. The interview process allowed for an in-depth exploration of the perceived factors contributing to the successes in each participant’s life. This qualitative study identified diverse categories and themes; the perceptions shared of the effect of numerous internal and external factors were identified and explored. The major themes included parental and familial influences; teachers and male role models of all kinds were perceived to have had a direct impact on the success of many of the participants. Internal factors were also perceived to have had a major influence on the respondents’ success; themes such as an internal drive, a sense of resilience, and fears of poverty substantially stimulated the behaviors of the interviewees. Recommendations for further study are provided and include more in depth interviews or case studies to explore further the influence of additional internal and external factors. In addition, a larger sample could be assessed with a quantitative study to determine which factors are the most common across a more significantly sized sample. Recommendations for programs and application of the data gathered were included; programs to enhance the teacher/parent relationship and providing more mentoring opportunities for the disadvantaged were among the suggested applications