Black males have been categorized as underachieving and deficient in American society since the country's inception. Social imagery and media bias paints the Black male in America with harsh, unforgiving strokes. Black male educational achievement is outpaced by all demographic groups in this country. College graduation rates have been referred to as dismal. Researchers list a myriad of reasons that the achievement rate of Black males is low, and their underperformance is their fault or that of their communities. Among these factors are economic status, low self-concept, poor K-12 performance, and lack of role models. Overall, Black males are assumed to have experienced negative to marginal childhoods. This study shows that Black males are not deficient. It shows that Black males from different socio-economic backgrounds and from different regions of the country have the preparation and the resilience to attain degrees from PWIs; institutions that were not established with them in mind. Black men attain social capital, self-efficacy, and find or establish systems of support that equip them to success and have meaningful educational and social experiences at PWIs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]