A Collective Action Framework for Black Fathers’ Engagement With Their Children's Schools

Deficit-oriented stereotypes and racist generalizations have long misrepresented Black fathers as universally disengaged from their children's education. Moving beyond descriptions of how Black dads participate in schools, this article introduces a collective action framework that offers guidance on deepening Black paternal literacy, reflecting on prior firsthand schooling experiences, organizing Black Dad Collectives, mobilizing collective advocacy, cultivating advisory networks, and strategically applying educational intelligence to improve Black students’ schooling experiences and outcomes. The framework offers concrete actions through which Black fathers can become informed, organized, and indispensable educational partners, with implications for dads, educators, and leaders in and beyond urban contexts.