In conjunction with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Forward Promise initiative to improve the prospects of boys and young men of color, RWJF commissioned the Moriah Group and partners to write and publish seven issue briefs that examine key barriers to health and success for young men of color, as well as some promising practices. The National Dropout Prevention Center was asked to write an issue brief on improving high school graduation rates and to participate in a webinar on pathways to graduation for young men of color.

Improving High School Graduation Rates Among Males of Color: Trends, Findings, and Recommendations
Suggested citation: Addis, S., & Withington, C. (2016, September). Improving high school graduate rates for males of color: Trends, findings, and recommendations (An Issue Brief in Collaboration with The Moriah Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation). Retrieved from http://dropoutprevention.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/rwjf-ndpscn-moriah-ImprovingGradRatesMalesofColor-2016.pdf
Webinar
November 14, 2016
3:00 – 4:00 PM ET
The High School Finish Line: Pathways to Graduation for Boys/Young Men of Color
An Archived version of this presentation is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84L4AuaCMhs
A look at:
- Impediments to high school graduation such as harsh school discipline
- Places around the US that are showing progress in promoting high school graduation
- Ways to re-engage young men who have dropped out of school
Featured:
Howard Addis, PhD – Clemson University, National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
Ms. Kisha Bird – CLASP
Ms. Dwanna Nicole – Advancement Project
Additional Resources
Executive Summary and Seven Issue Briefs on the Topic from The Moriah Group and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:
- Executive Summary
- Moving Toward Healing
- Early Childhood Expulsions and Suspensions
- Improving High School Graduation Rates Among Males of Color
- Unequal Access
- School Discipline Reform and Advocacy
- Employment Pathways for Boys and Young Men of Color
- Addressing Trauma Among Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Boys of Color
Three Webinars on the Topic from The Moriah Group and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Oct 21, 2016, 3:00–4:00 PM ET: Getting In, Staying In: Boys of Color in Early Childhood Education

A look at:
- The importance of quality preschool opportunities for boys of color
- Why boys of color are disproportionately suspended or expelled from preschool
- What can be done to solve the problem
Featured:
Walter Gilliam, PhD – Yale University
Dionne Dobbins, PhD – Child Care Aware of America
Nov 14, 2016, 3:00–4:00 PM ET: The High School Finish Line: Pathways to Graduation for Boys/Young Men of Color

A look at:
- Impediments to high school graduation such as harsh school discipline
- Places around the US that are showing progress in promoting high school graduation
- Ways to re-engage young men who have dropped out of school
Featured:
Howard Addis, PhD – Clemson University, National Dropout Prevention Center/Network
Ms. Kisha Bird – CLASP
Ms. Dwanna Nicole – Advancement Project
Dec 12, 2016, 3:00–4:00 PM ET: Boys & Young Men of Color: Facing Trauma, Finding Healing and Wellbeing

A look at:
- How violence and other forms of childhood trauma harm the health and wellbeing of young men of color
- How healthcare and justice systems are addressing trauma
- Approaches to supporting those who are LGBTQ
Featured:
John Rich, MD, MPH – Drexel University
Kevin Nadal, PhD – Center for LGBTQ Studies at City University of New York
Howard Stevenson, PhD – University of Pennsylvania