Establishing Black Identity at a Predominantly White Institution: The Influence of a Hybrid Pledge/Intake Process Utilizing Nguzo Saba Principles

Abstract

Racial identity is a critical aspect of individual identity (Chavez & Guido-DiBrito, 1999). Using a case study approach, the author investigated what influence a hybrid pledge/intake program that utilized Nguzo Saba, a set of seven African principles, had on Black identity development. Four Black males1 who attended a predominantly White institution (PWI) participated in an interview about their new member process. Findings showed that the hybrid pledge/intake process paralleled Nguzo Saba, and that this process may have positively influenced their racial identity (Howard–Hamilton, 1997). Therefore, student affairs professionals could seek to use the Nguzo Saba principles as a framework in their practice with Black students to support their racial identity development.