Unity is our strength": Perspectives on the recruitment and retention of African American male social work students

This qualitative research study explored the perceptions and lived experiences of African American male social work students attending a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). Seven (N = 7) individual interviews and a focus group (N = 4) were collected and data were analyzed using qualitative iterative processes. This inductive analysis generated four broad themes, The Village, Social Justice Warrior, Iwoegbe, and Sankofa. Participant narratives are juxtaposed with values of African American social work pioneers and the contributions of HBCUs to instill pride and resiliency in serving the African American community. Presented in an Afrocentric framework, findings reveal culturally relevant factors in recruiting and retaining African American males to the social work profession. Strength based curriculum and pedagogical strategies that correspond to each theme are offered.