The Influence of HBCU Summer Bridge Programs on Ethnic-Racial Identity Development of First-Year Students of Color

Summer bridge programs (SBPs) are higher education intervention programs designed to assist at-risk or ethnically/racially underrepresented students by providing them with the academic and social tools needed to be successful in college. SBPs at HBCUs have a unique opportunity to teach students of color about race and social justice through the lens of critical race theory. Understanding critical race theory and African American history may help instill a stronger sense of self for students of color as they prepare for their collegiate journey, which also may assist with their persistence and success rates at the university.