Black Identity Development Theory

Define: Black Identity Development Theory is a stage based model of identity development focused on the social construct of understanding one’s Blackness. Individuals begin without an understanding of race and progress along an oscillating path of rejection and acceptance of Blackness before developing an integrated sense of a Black self-independent of the perceptions of others (Jackson, 1976).

Apply: A white community developer is hoping to work with a neighborhood group that is predominately Black and wants to improve employment rates in the community. Instead of immediately diving into organizing, the community developer takes time to assess how the neighborhood understands their Black identity. Since the group is predominately interested in having Black individuals work together to solve this problem and is not interested in working with white people to solve the problem, he decides to step away from the project. Instead the community developer works with his organization to identify a Black social worker who can work with the community. 

Adapt: A higher educational professional working with Black students would acknowledge that students have different developmental understandings of their identity and provide opportunities that challenge a support a range of students. This might include developing social events to build community with other Black students or facilitating a workshop for a coalition of student from multiple racial backgrounds to come together from across campus to advocate for social justice. 

Source: 
Jackson, B. (1976). Black identity development. In L.H. Golubchick and B. Persky (Eds), Urban Social, and Educational Issues, (pp.158-164). Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt.