At a time when American society is desperately seeking to create hope for inner city black youth, this study serves as a tool to encourage those responsible for teaching and socializing young African-American males, who may feel they have little chance for success.

Introduction The Need for Role Models for Inner-City Youths Statement of the Problem Purpose of the Study Limitations Definition of Terms Significance of the Study Review of the Literature The Perseverance of the Black Male The African-American Male "In Crisis" The Lack of Male Role Models in the Inner City The Significance of Role Models The Significance of Mentorship Black Colleges versus White Colleges for the Black Student Trends in Higher Education for African-Americans A Historical Perspective Design of the Study Initial Procedures Ethnography Phenomenology Hermeneutics Grounded Theory Constant Comparative Method Negative Case Analysis Constructed Realities Shiva's Circle Methodology The Setting The Sample The Interviewing Process Trustworthiness Criteria Triangulation Transferability of the Study Data Analysis Editing Analysis Style Division of the Study into Units Research Questions Categories of the Study Coding Procedures Documenting the Themes Emergent Findings and Postreview of the Literature Theme of Bonding Link to Religion Link to Family Extended Kinship Relationships Father's Role in the Home The Absent Father Link to a Caring Mentor and/or Role Model Achievement Motivation Distinguishing Characteristics Between Cluster and Cluster II Analysis, Conclusion, and Recommendations Analysis of Metaphors in the Study Major Themes Conclusions Recommendations Epilogue References Appendix Index