<em>Guest Editorial:</em> The Rapidly Changing Landscape in Higher Education and Its Impact on African American Students

“Plant my feet on higher ground”: Understanding how Black megachurches create a college-going culture.

“…Williams is talking, my thoughts are directed to aspirational capital (Yosso, 2005). Given the historic exclusion of African Americans within institutions of higher education (Harper et al, 2009; Jayakumar et al, 2013; Marks & Reid, 2013), it appears as if this ministry is engineering activities that will create hope for college attendance among their youth members. As my sons are getting older, I need to give more thought to institutions outside of their formal education that can aid in their own college pursuits.…”

“…Black megachurch leaders demonstrated that “teaching how to fish” was important and necessary so that youth members and their families were empowered with information and resources to actualize college goals. Recognizing historical exclusion (Bowman et al, 2018; Harper et al, 2009; Jayakumar et al, 2013; Marks & Reid, 2013), Black megachurch leaders’ use of navigational capital to assist youth members in acquiring the skills needed to “maneuver through institutions not created with Communities of Color in mind” (Yosso, 2005, p. 80) was significant. Recognizing the complexities of college access, (Cooper & Liou, 2007; Griffin et al, 2010, Martin et al, 2005, Stanton-Salazar, 1997), Black megachurch leaders provided college information sessions and sponsored college tours to help their youth members navigate this arduous undertaking.…”

“…Historically, Black students were denied access to formal education in the U.S. (Harper et al, 2009; Jayakumar et al, 2013; Marks & Reid, 2013). In many ways, Black students in the U.S. have been subject to “generations of legal and illegal measures to deny them basic rights” (Bowman et al, 2018, p. 16).…”

“…for viewing and interpreting the work of Black megachurches and their leaders in possessing and transferring capital that creates a college-going culture for their youth members. Despite the historic work of Black churches within the context of education and educational access (Barnes, 2015;Barrett, 2010;Billingsley & Caldwell, 1991;Harper et al, 2009;Marks & Reid, 2013), there is surprisingly limited contemporary literature that exists concerning Black churches and Black student educational outcomes (Barrett, 2009). Further, previous research has not yet directly attended to how Black megachurches influence Black student college access.…”

“…A critical historical analysis will reveal that Black 1 students historically faced exclusion from formalized U.S. education (Bowman et al, 2018; Harper et al, 2009; Jayakumar et al, 2013; Marks & Reid, 2013) that continues to impact Black student college access. Despite improvements, U.S. college enrollment rates continue to illustrate racial and ethnic disparities.…”