Partnering With a Higher Power: Academic Engagement, Religiosity, and Spirituality of African American Urban Youth

Engagement in and transitions between academic institutions may be enhanced for African American urban youth if we consider the role of religiosity, spirituality, and places of worship. This article presents the manner by which African American university students, who attended public high schools, conveyed the influence of their religious and spiritual beliefs on their academic aspirations, engagement, and achievement. Further, these students described how their connections to and support from places of worship assisted them in their educational endeavors. The data from this study, in conjunction with previous research, demonstrate the importance of knowing students’ social and contextual support for academic endeavors beyond the family and school. This type of information has the potential to assist school personnel in knowing, advising, and supporting students