The purpose of this study was to change the discussion on how to support the literacy development of African American males that attend urban Pre-K through twelve schools. The majority of research about African American males stem from a deficit perspective that uses a racial and cultural comparison in an achievement model (Tatum & Muhammad, 2012). Tatum and Muhammad uses a socio-historical perspective on the literacy development of African American males. The authors researched various historical accounts that showed how African American males used literacy for advancement in society in order to gain equal economic and social rights in America. According to Tatum and Muhammad (2012), modern day literacy has shifted to emphasizing state standards,
