“What Happened to My Village?”: Narratives of Previously Incarcerated Black Males, Highlighting the Importance of Family, School, and Community Relationships Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Natosha Renee’ Willis, M.Ed. Graduate Program in Educational Studies The Ohio State University 2019 Dissertation Committee James L. Moore III, Ph.D. Advisor Samuel R. Hodge, Ph.D. Ralph Gardner III, Ph.D. 1 Copyrighted by Natosha Renee Willis 2019 2 Abstract Drawing on a qualitative narrative inquiry research design, the researcher sought to analyze factors and experiences that most likely intensified the probability of incarceration for Black males. More specifically, the researcher collected personalized life history narrative accounts of 15 previously incarcerated Black men, through semi-structured individual and focus group interviews, to better understand the role families, communities, schools, and other social structures may have played in contributing to their incarceration. Utilizing Urie Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model of human development as the theoretical lens, the researcher also explored the participants’ life experiences before, during, and after incarceration, and how each experience contributed either positively or negatively to their life outcomes. Further, through in-depth analysis of narratives and by using thematic analysis and open coding, four major themes emerged: (a) Environmental Influence, (b) Valueless Education, (c) Drugs and Addictions, and (d) Establishing a Continual Cycle. Through this investigation, the researcher gained a better understanding of the different ways in which social disparities, environmental influences, and personal development may affect the overrepresentation of Black men in the criminal justice system. Recommendations, pinpointing preventative strategies and policy modifications to decrease the pipeline to prison for Black male youth and adults, are offered. ii Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my cousin, Marques Lamar Sawyer. Thank you for inspiring me to tackle this research. I love and miss you, dearly! I would like to also dedicate this dissertation to all the participants of this study. Thank you for sharing your stories with me and, now, the rest of the world. Your voices are now being heard! Last but not least, I would like to dedicate this dissertation to every Black male that has ever had any experiences with the criminal justice system. Know that you are worth more than all you have experienced. iii Acknowledgments Where would I be without my village? Words cannot express the gratitude I feel as I prepare to write this section. First and foremost, I want to thank God, the true author of my life. Without Him, I would not have been able to successfully navigate this journey. There have been several wrong turns and stops, but, through it all, He has gifted me with His grace and mercy, which I am forever grateful. God has blessed me with an amazing village, a phenomenal group of people that have contributed to and impacted my life in an amazing way. Michelle Renee Fitzgerald, where do I even begin? Since the day I entered into this world, you have been by my side, through the good, bad, and the terribly ugly. I used to believe this was something that all mothers were supposed to do, but you really go above and beyond. You encourage me, when I feel hopeless; you pray with me, when I am weary; you listen, when I need to vent or need a shoulder to cry on (I mean ugly cry); you encourage me to be strong, when I want to give up; you support me, as I navigate life; you love me unconditionally; and for all of that, I am forever grateful. Love you Pookie. David, you came into our lives and have loved and supported me as if I were your own. I thank you for your continual love and support throughout this process. Thank you to my dad, Keith A. Willis Sr., and my bonus mom, Ericca Willis, for your love and for sharing with me the special moments of my life. My brothers, Keith Jr., iv Keion, and David Christopher, thank you for your love. I hope that I can continue to be a positive role-model and big sister for each of you. To my sister Brittany, thank you pushing me to be great. I am glad to be someone you look up to and someone you are proud to brag about to others. To Clara Bell, I’ve finally finished all of my homework. To my Aunt Linda, Aunt Cheryl, and Aunt Stephanie, thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support. To my Maryland family, thank you for all the encouragement and love. Aunt Angie, you are the only person that has been more excited than I have about this doctoral journey. Thank you for filling the gap with my mom away and being so hands-on throughout this process. From our brunch dates discussing research and timelines to our editing session dinner meetings (we are always eating), I could not have done this without your encouragement and support. Uncle John, thank you for being so understanding all the times I stole Aunt Angie away for myself. You, too, were very instrumental in helping me, along this journey, and I am truly grateful. Michael and Suzette, thank you for taking me in as I re-settled in Columbus. Your support and hospitality, over the years, will always be cherished. To the rest of my family, although I do not see you often, thank you for your unwavering love, encouragement, and support. To my church family, thank you for always covering me with prayers, including your continual encouragement and support. To the friends I have been so fortunate to gain throughout this process, you have made this journey a lot more bearable. I could not imagine having to endure this doctoral process without supportive connections and friends in my corner. Bennett, you took me v under your wing from our very first meeting. Thank you for your support, guidance, and big brother tough-love. Thank you for always pushing me to do my best and reminding me of my abilities and to never settle. You have been there from the start of my doctoral program to the finish, and I am truly grateful. Deborwah, thank you for being an awesome and amazing friend, particularly throughout this process. From bringing me food when I was sick, sending spiritual motivation when I felt defeated, and reminding me that my week-long self-care binges were okay, I cannot began to describe how grateful I am for your continual support. You’re up next! Tiffany Halsell, thank you for being a friend and someone I could always depend on as I navigated through this process! You were always there to answer questions and help when I needed to put things into perspective. Thank you for the check-in texts and many resources. Kirsten, I am so thankful we connected, and I am tremendously grateful for your support during these last two years. You have become more than my writing partner… a mentor and friend. Thank you for your prayers, calls, and “how are the edits coming along” texts! Laura, thank you for all your support. You do not know how much our work sessions have meant to me. Thanks for the constant reminders of faith! To my BNRC and ODI family, all of those that I encountered during my time in Hale Hall, thank you for always encouraging and supporting me. I have worked in a number of settings and had the opportunity to work with a number of great people, but I do not think any experience will ever compare with my time there. Special thank you to Dr. Valerie B. Lee for providing me with the opportunity to work at ODI. I was unsure of how I would afford this doctoral journey. But, we connected, and I am grateful. Dan, vi thank you for all the good laughs and always being supportive and encouraging, when I wanted to give up. Tayo, thank you for always encouraging me to never settle and reminding me that I was not alone during this process. To all my other amazing friends, who have provide encouraging calls and texts, listened to me whine, and supported my decision to go through this process; thank you for being understanding when I had to miss calls, respond late to texts, or been unavailable to hang out, love you guys! To my Educational Studies colleagues, thank you for your support. Dr. Ann Allen, you have encouraged and supported me, since I entered the education policy program. Throughout my coursework and candidacy, you continuously helped me navigate my research interests and explore beyond my comfort zone. Thank you. Thank you to my dissertation committee, Drs. Ralph Gardner and Samuel Hodge, as you both have been extremely supportive and understanding during my candidacy and dissertation process. Dr. Gardner, thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and guidance over the years. Your support goes beyond these last four years, as you have been a mentor to me since I began my higher education journey. You are greatly appreciated! Dr. Hodge, thank you for always being encouraging and challenging me to think critically about my research. You also inspire me to want to be a better writer and scholar. I am so grateful for your support, particularly during the last stretch of this process. I wanted to give up on so many occasions, but you continued to encourage me and push me to keep going. To my beloved advisor, Dr. James L. Moore III, thank you. I am truly thankful for your guidance and mentorship throughout my doctoral journey.