Abstract
There are few societal structures and institutions to support African American male adolescents on their journey to authentic adulthood. In an effort to foster positive youth development, community-based, after-school youth programs exist. One such program is the after-school Rites of Passage (ROP) program for African American males to help with the transition to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to explore African American males' perceptions or their experiences after graduating from an after-school ROP program. The study design sought to identify the specific protective factors that were developed through the program related to resilience. The Masten/Woodland theory is framed by theoretical and empirical research on the concept of resilience and the ROP process for African American males.This qualitative case study research design used a semistructured interview protocol to examine the participants perceptions of the protective factors found in and their experiences after graduating from a ROP program. A qualitative study was selected because it involved the study of a case within a contemporary setting. Using a qualitative case study allowed the researcher to explore each participant's experiences with depth and detail. Community programs are a valuable resource to the educational institution, and ROP programs are experiencing success with African American students. The cultural component appears to be a critical factor in causing a shift in the mindset and perspective of how the participants view themselves, their abilities, and their role in society. This research also points to the need for mentoring opportunities for African American boys by African American male role models and the importance of the relationships. Future program designs should consider the importance and need for attention to these components to build resilience. The nation's education system struggles to find a way to close the access and opportunity gaps for African American males. There is a need to examine programs that are having success with African American males and implement what works into more programs.