The Kirwan Institute presents a call to action to close gaps in the literature on African-American males and to move forward with policy solutions based on what is already known. The paper summarizes findings from an extensive literature review, a national advisory board and a national conference, and a project on mapping opportunity.
- In addition to traditional inquiries into education, psychology, economics, and demographics, emerging themes in the research on African-American males include identity construction, community/environment/geography, homelessness, and music.
- Research is sparse on older black males and on black males who have successfully overcome structural barriers.
- Current identity models focus on either race or gender; programs should explore the combined experience of being both black and male.
- Kirwan Institute's mapping project found that most black males (across seven large and diverse metropolitan regions) lived in spatially distinct, resource deprived neighborhoods.
- Strategic collaboration through an African American Male Network could reverse the tide of ineffective advocacy.