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Burden of Hope is the result of groundbreaking research that impacts the entire paradigm by which postsecondary education regards collegiate Black men - men repeatedly underserved by America s colleges and universities. Typically, postsecondary education relates to collegiate Black males from a deficit mindset, which often translates into providing remedial resources designed to improve college transition, retention, and persistence. However, the major themes emerging from this study call for an alternative approach for academic achievement, specifically, one that empowers collegiate Black males from the beginning of their postsecondary transition by engaging their inherent power, need, and desire to succeed by engaging their burden of hope.

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In 1982, Dr. Oscar Dowdell-Underwood left a career in suburban education to head a failing, inner-city school. Within one year, student perceptions of marginalization plummeted and test scores skyrocketed. His passion for eradicating educational disenfranchisement has resulted in many honors, including testifying before the United States Congress.

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