Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Date of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership

College

College of Education

First Advisor

Joby Gardner

Abstract

The epidemic of gun violence is no secret in the United States. Many empirical studies have focused on gun violence, trauma, and race, and have even offered solutions to the phenomenon. However, limited research has called forward the voice of those most impacted (Black boys) and the counters they believe are feasible to their own experience. This work was grounded in critical race theory (CRT). At the same time, it attempted to supplement CRT with careful reflection on what helped me avoid the very kinds of historical and structural exclusions facing Black boys in the hood that CRT helps reveal. Gun violence disproportionately affects Black boys residing in the hood, yet the actual experiences of overcoming neighborhood trauma to become an educator, mentor, and community organizer lacks visibility in academic discourse, policy discussions, and media. I employed autoethnography as a methodology to deconstruct my experiences, inform knowledge through those shared experiences, and intellectually connect with readers and those who work directly with children and young adults in the hood. This autoethnography sought to highlight the intersectionality of gun violence, trauma, and systemic neglect while offering a nuanced personal and cultural perspective that transcended statistics and stigmas. This study is significant because it may contribute to the growing body of research that looks to call forward the voices and experiences of Black boys, humanizing and validating them. Rather than studying them as subjects, victims, or perpetrators, this work served as a counter-narrative that bridged the gap between personal narrative as data and systemic critique. Ultimately, this study argued that understanding Black boys requires more than documenting their experiences—it requires elevating their truth and investing in structural changes needed for broader healing and liberation.

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