Recreating Community Among Gifted African American Students Through Group Counseling

ABSTRACT

Predominantly White Educational Institutions often fail to meet the needs of gifted African American students. Racial discrimination, lack of teacher cultural competence, and deficit ideologies create barriers impacting student academic success, emotional well-being, and sense of belonging. School counselors are in optimal positions to assist African American youth using targeted cultural strategies. This article offers a background on the issues many gifted African American children face and details a group approach utilizing solution focused brief therapy, family involvement, conflict resolution, and anger management, in an attempt to influence positive racial identity, resilience, and student achievement.

KEYWORDS:

• African American
• gifted
• rational emotive therapy
• solution focused

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Layla Bonner

Layla Bonner, Ph.D., is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Tennessee and an Assistant Professor in the Mental Health Counseling Program at Belmont University.

Janet Hicks

Janet Hicks, Ph.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the states of Tennessee (active) and Texas (inactive), a Certified School Counselor, and serves as Professor and Director of the Mental Health Counseling Program at Belmont University.

Gerald Pennie

Gerald Pennie, Ph.D., is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas and Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychology at Texas A&M University-Central Texas.