Date of Award

Fall 2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

Educational Studies

First Advisor

Rhonda Jeffries

Abstract

This action research study examines the role of the Black church as an ecological and cultural anchor in addressing the inequities of gifted education and expanding access to advanced academic opportunities for Black students. The study is grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, critical race theory, and racial and ethnical socialization, and it explores how the Black church can support student development, empower parental advocacy, and partner with schools to promote educational equity. Conducted at Mountain Valley Baptist Church in South Carolina, the interventions included student mentoring, goal setting sessions, academic enrichment, emotional support initiatives, a parent workshop, and a celebratory achievement night. Using a mixed-methods approach with a primarily qualitative emphasis, the study investigates how students and parents perceive gifted programming, school, and their parent/child relationship, how the church develops advocacy skills among parents, and how the collaboration between faith institutions and schools could support Black students academically. Findings suggest the church can serve as a vital community resource that develops student agency, encourages high academic expectations, honors the whole child, and bridges the gap between the school and family systems. This study adds to the ongoing discourse on educational equity and the opportunity gap that exists in education, by positioning the church as a legitimate partner in dismantling systemic barriers and broadening access to gifted education and advanced academic programming for underrepresented populations.

Rights

© 2025, Matrissa Bennett

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