Young, Gifted and Missing

Black males, throughout history, have been at the forefront of innovation, creativity, and social justice transformative moments; they have also been viewed as a threat, violent, and ill-prepared for academic success. This well researched text carefully, systematically, and incrementally lays the foundation for the essential investment in Black males, particularly young black males / students, to ensure they are on the path to success through role models and teachers that look like them (and typically can empathize), strengthen the family and community nucleus to have the agency and access to resources to level the educational playing field of Black male young, and to be the cheerleaders for these precious minds that you too can be success, you matter, and you are capable as gifted, talented, respected black male youth. This edited volume is well suited to challenge educators, policymakers, elected officials, funding entities and many other audiences to prioritize the education of Black male youth (Black children in general) to ensure there is equity, inclusion and representation.

-- - Anthony E. Munroe, Ed.D, MBA, MPH, President, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY)

Young, Gifted and Missing takes a critical analysis to the dearth of Black males in STEM fields. The book powerfully illuminates individual, cultural, and structural barriers to STEM entry and ways to overcome barriers. The book challenges higher education as an institution to do better. But, the book also challenges Black males to harness the grit and hardiness of their ancestors to overcome and succeed in spite of obstacles.

-- - Rashawn Ray, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Kekst Family Endowed Research Fellow, Executive Director, Lab for Applied Social Science Research, University of Maryland

To address the decreasing trend in African American men obtaining degrees in STEM disciplines, we must center their narratives while fully understanding their experiences in the matriculation process. Young, Gifted and Missing is a timely and information-rich volume with concrete strategies and practical examples that can aid us in creating environments for African American men to succeed and thrive in STEM fields and beyond.

-- - Brian L. McGowan, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Center for Teaching, Research, and Learning, American University,