African-American Community-based Programs Leaders’ Motivations and Educational Space Serving African American Youth : African-American Agricultural Centered Community-based Organization Leaders' Motivations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v67i2.2730Keywords:
African American, social capital, agricultural youth organizations, community-based organizations, black leaders, community developmentAbstract
African-Americans have historically faced limited access to agricultural education due to systemic barriers and the negative perception of agriculture, often associated with slavery, exploitation, and land dispossession. Despite these challenges, African-American-led community-based organizations have emerged as alternative learning spaces for agricultural education. This study examines African-American leaders and their motivations for establishing and directing agricultural and STEM-focused community-based programs. Using purposive sampling, eight program leaders were selected, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore their reasons for engaging Black youth in agricultural education and the ways these programs function as sites of social and cultural capital formation. Findings indicate that program leaders cultivate social capital by fostering mentorship, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and community networks. At the same time, they strengthen cultural capital by embedding Black history, African agricultural traditions, and experiential learning into agricultural education. These programs not only equip youth with professional skills, cultural pride, and land-based knowledge but also serve as vehicles for economic empowerment and local food system resilience. Actionable recommendations include strengthening partnerships between community-based programs and land-grant universities, securing financial support for long-term sustainability, and expanding research on African-centered agricultural education in community-based spaces to assess pathways into agriculture and STEM careers.
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