Black Cultural Capital

Black cultural capital encompasses multiple codes, styles, preferences, and tastes that assist black students in gaining entry into cultural spaces of affinity. Black cultural capital also denotes ethnic and cultural authenticity for status in social relationships. With regard to the process of schooling, black cultural capital is essential to the social and academic experiences of black youth in navigating racially and culturally complex school contexts. Further, black cultural capital shapes the status of social relationships within culturally and socially marginalized communities. In formal schooling contexts, teachers and schools often dismiss black students' cultural expressions, such as language, style of dress, response to teaching practices, and methods of learning as deficient. Employing black cultural capital within peer groups validates the cultural repertoires of black youth.

Dominant cultural ...