Mark L. Gumm, a graduate 2024 graduate of the EdD program in Educational and Professional Practice at Antioch University, has written and published his dissertation titled Exploring Consciousness in Millennial African American Men: Using Video Ethnography to Convey Meaning within the African American Male Experience.
Through a qualitative approach, the dissertation explored the consciousness of millennial African American men. The research question wanted to evaluate African American college men and how they define identity, masculinity, and self-concept under the umbrella of consciousness. In addition, the relation to environmental factors includes schooling, household dynamics, high-school mentorship, and college readiness. The questions included elements of socioeconomic status, academic achievement, and success.
Participants in this study included African American men between the ages of 18-25 years old. Gumm conducted a sampling of students at a Historically Black College or University HBCU. Through a series of phases, research was conducted. Thematic analysis and findings included: the significance of single mothers, high-school mentorship on leadership programs, and the choice of HBCU selection leading to positive future impact. These findings highlighted the importance of self-consciousness and discovery to the psyche of African American, millennial-age men and the foreshadowing of the mindset of future generations.
Gumm has served the last two years as an Assistant Principal at Dater Montessori Elementary School. He has over ten years of teaching in elementary and middle school, where he also held leadership roles in his community. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in 2010 and his master’s degree from the University of Dayton.
Read and download Gumm’s dissertation, Millennial African American Men: Using Video Ethnography to Convey Meaning within the African American Male Experience, here.
