My Research

My research examines positive youth development outcomes during the out-of-school time hours, particularly focusing on racial/ethnic identity and cultural behaviors, social justice and built and physical environmental influences. I consider myself a “community engaged scholar” who focuses on improving sociopolitical systems and environments to reduce inequalities through the application of strengths-based empowerment approaches to youth engagement. I also attest that it is only from working side-by-side with communities that we as scholars will learn about their assets, as well as needs, in order to get for these citizens to no longer be considered underserved, but where they are fully represented and active participants in the social, environmental, economic and educational institutions.

Positive youth development outcomes during out-of-school time; Community engaged scholarship to improve sociopolitical systems & environments to reduce inequalities; Community-based participatory research methods & qualitative data analytic methods; Strengths-based approaches to youth engagement, empowerment & activism for social/system level changes; Training of youth development professionals in cultural competence & positive youth development