Degree Name
MA in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management
First Advisor
John Ungerleider
Abstract
In this paper, I consider the impact of positive youth development in the lives of Black youth, in the Historic Near East Side of Columbus, OH. More specifically, I examine initiatives centered in cultural arts, holistic support, and African centered education in order to identify positive trends impacting urban Black youth. My research is guided by the question: How are Black youth impacted by urban development in a historic African-American neighborhood?
The Near East Side(NES) is a distinguished neighborhood, and in the past laid the foundation for some of the most prominent and successful African American owned businesses in Columbus, Ohio. In the present, it still holds onto its historical and cultural significance, it is home to one of oldest National Urban League affiliates and continues to host multicultural and renowned artists from all over the world at the Lincoln Theater. Similar to other historic African American neighborhoods across the country, the Near East Side was subjected to both racial and social exclusion in order to promote urban renewal projects, which played a large role in the destruction of the community (Columbus Urban League).
This research aims to provide examples of theories and practices grounded in cultural and historical preservation pedagogy by linking them to positive youth development trends impacting Black youth. The literature review is comprised of case studies, annual reports, community observations and an in-depth interview, as well as my personal experience working and serving as both a Program Coordinator at the Columbus Urban League and a community organizer.
Disciplines
African American Studies | Art Education | Art Practice | Creative Writing | Educational Psychology | Political History | Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | Social History
Recommended Citation
Keflom, Fevean N., "My Neighborhood Is Changing: Positive Youth Development in the Historic Near East Side" (2016). Capstone Collection. 2872.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/capstones/2872
Included in
African American Studies Commons, Art Education Commons, Art Practice Commons, Creative Writing Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Political History Commons, Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Commons, Social History Commons