RESEARCH-BASED MOMENTUM

Black men of faith charting moves for the next generation’s advance.

THE RESEARCH ENROLLMENT WINDOW HAS CLOSED.

We appreciate your interest in participating in our research study. Your input will provide valuable insights to help close opportunity gaps for Black male learners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Participation in this study is voluntary and unpaid. Your privacy will be protected, and all information you provide will be kept confidential and used only for research purposes. The study will involve completing a survey, attending an interview, or participating in focus groups, which equates to approximately 15-20 hours of invested time. We believe our young men will benefit from your perspective and insight. 

By joining this study, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to innovative solutions for disrupting school-to-prison pipelines, increasing Black male engagement in education, and amplifying the voice of Black men in education.

Research Description

Black men in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will participate in restorative participatory action research to examine how Black men of faith, as an advocating affinity group, create spaces for school-community engagement that informs and influences education policy for Black male learners in PK-12 public school programs. When men of faith commit to participating in this research study, policy-makers and practitioners are one step closer to evidence-based practices that school districts across the country can use to disrupt school-to-prison pipelines.

  • Session 1

    Black men in Dallas-Fort Worth explore how their educational journeys have shaped their involvement in school and community engagement. Participants will share personal stories, reflect on challenges and successes, and provide insights into how their perspectives can inform strategies for fostering stronger connections between Black men and local schools. The goal is to understand Black men's unique role in advocating for education equity and enhancing school-community partnerships.

    Saturday, January 18, 2025

    4:00 PM CST

    Virtual

  • Session 2

    Participants discuss the Black Church's historical and current role in the K-12 educational process, focusing on how it has leveraged its institutional power as a school-community partner. Participants will discuss the church’s mission, ministry, and message in advocating for Black students, educators, and communities. The conversation aims to uncover strategies, successes, and opportunities for the Black Church to continue its legacy of supporting education equity and fostering stronger school-community partnerships.

    Saturday, January 25, 2025

    4:00 PM CST

    Virtual

  • Session 3

    Participants explore how principles of joy, love, and justice can address the mental and systemic barriers that marginalize Black men in education. The session will provide a collaborative space to share personal experiences, identify challenges, and develop strategies to empower Black men as active leaders in transforming education systems.

    Saturday, February 1, 2025

    4:00 PM CST

    Virtual

  • Session 4

    Participants explore the Black Church's role in advancing anti-racism policies and advocating for education equity. Through guided discussions and collaborative exercises, the session will identify actionable strategies to address systemic inequities, build coalitions, and foster transformative partnerships between the faith community and schools to drive meaningful change and ensure equitable opportunities for Black students and educators.

    Saturday, February, 8, 2025

    4:00 PM CST

  • Session 5

    Participants will have interactive discussions to identify community engagement strategies that strengthen partnerships, amplify their collective impact, and promote the success of Black students, educators, and communities. Participants will explore opportunities for advocacy, and policy innovation that address systemic barriers.

    Saturday, February 15, 2025

    4:00 PM

About the Researcher!

Martina Van Norden is a Doctoral Candidate at American University, specializing in Educational Policy & Leadership as an anti-racist scholar-activist. Drawing from her experience as an educator, mother, and minister of the Gospel, her research centers on Black men of faith and their role in shaping education policy. Through restorative participatory action research, she examines how these men, as an advocating affinity group, create spaces for school-community engagement that inform and influence policies impacting Black male learners in PK-12 public schools. Her work contributes to evidence-based practices aimed at disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, providing policymakers and practitioners with strategies to foster educational equity nationwide.