The Intersection of Adolescent Development and Anti-Black Racism

Downloadable PDF: The Intersection of Adolescent Development and Anti-Black Racism

Adolescence—beginning around 10 years of age and ending in the early 20s—represents a particularly important period of experience and opportunity during which youth explore the world, develop a sense of agency, and define their identity. Experiences with racism within common contexts and spaces create different experiences for youth along racial lines.

Fortunately, the monumental growth and learning that occur during adolescence make it a time when interventions and approaches that counter or eliminate racism can make a real difference. Insights from developmental science remind us to focus on the adolescent years as an important time to promote positive racial identity in ways that can positively impact young people today, their futures, and the communities and country that they will come to lead.

Summary

Individual Context: Family

Individual Context: Peers and Social Media

Individual Context: Schools

Individual Context: Community

Infographic: Key Social Contexts

Online Panel Discussion

Report lead Joanna Williams, co-author Andrew Fuligni, and youth reviewer Kofi Mason talked with moderator Jennifer Pfeifer about how we can work to eliminate anti-Black racism and mitigate its effects in order to support the healthy development of Black youth.

The Readiness Projects' Making the Invisible Visible Series

Joanna Williams, along with Jamila Walida Simon and Asia Ambler from New York State 4H, spoke with Karen Pittman, Founder of the Forum for Youth Investment about how the new council report amplifies the role youth-serving organizations can play in optimizing learning and development and intentionally counter inequities to ensure that Black adolescents have what they need to thrive.