Beyond Grit & Resilience

How Black Men Impacted by the Crack Epidemic Succeeded Against the Odds and Obtained Doctoral Degrees *A Dissertation: Typos and All

By: Dr. Charles La Von Cole III

Narrated by: Charles Cole III

Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

This comparative case study utilized oral histories to illuminate the life stories of three Black men who navigated their way through trauma. The goal of the study was to better understand how they navigated education and life experiences to eventually earn doctoral degrees. The findings affirm and illuminate that despite their academic success, they suffer from residual unresolved emotional scars due to unhealed trauma. The key findings are that these men navigated trauma by a) seeking out quality education, b) developing strong self-agency, and c) utilizing close proximity to success.

The study concludes that the key to increasing the rate of academic success among Black males is reducing the effects of trauma and provides recommendations for how communities and schools can achieve this. The lives of the men in this study illustrate that with the right support to promote healing from the effects of trauma, Black males can overcome the most traumatic experiences and achieve academically at the highest level. However, when healing does not accompany the journey to academic success, it comes at a cost.

©2019 Charles Cole, III (P)2019 Charles Cole, III

Resonant narratives

Through a mix of narrative and case study, Dr. Cole thoroughly navigates and elucidates on the experiences of Black boys/ men/ families/educators/ practitioners in America. While listening to this audiobook, I saw facets of my life reflected in the stories and research studies.

Highly recommend.

Great, practical stories, well researched

Because of the technical academic nature of the writing, I struggled a little bit to get past the first couple chapters. but I'm so glad I stuck through it. I'm not huge into academic dissertations but I understand the value of defining terms, providing context and setting up the reason for the research on this topic. Once I got past the setup though, I really enjoyed the stories of the three men studied and how their experiences translated into real-world learning and understanding of how these black children overcame trauma to achieve at the highest levels of academia. The book provides valuable insights for educators and parents especially those of black children. Super impressed with the book. Seriously, I loved it. I never thought I'd say that about someone's dissertation!

Every Educator Should Listen

Every educator who has access to Black children and parents needs to listen to this. The critical analysis of popular themes in K-12 education needs to be heard and understood so meaningful changes can be made to systems that continue to harm Black kids. Great work by the author.

Powerful Blending of Research and Story

Beyond Grit and Resilience was a powerful book combining research and deep understanding of three individual cases to show what leads to high levels of academic success for Black males raised within and impacted by the crack epidemic. Focusing on navigational strategies, resources within families and communities and the actions of key educators and adults within the system, the book shows that teaching Grit to Black students is not the key (since Black students already have that). Dr. Cole emphasizes the role of parents as advocates for academic excellence, community organizations and healing from trauma as key to long term success.