Overcoming Adversity: A Phenomenological Study of Successful Fatherless African American Men Raised by Single Mothers: Their Journey to Propel forward Using Self-Motivation and Social Capital as Contributing Factors to Build Resilienc

The African American male's journey to success has been misinterpreted by many and understood by few. There are countless African American men who are successful, productive members of society. Many spent most of their lives navigating through poverty, crime, and a number of obstacles. This study identifies how these men set out to change the status quo and to alter their destinies. The purpose of this research was to examine lived experiences of African American men who achieved success despite being raised in fatherless households. This research study presented an alternative narrative that provided an overview of how African American men who grew up in impoverished environments strived to excel based on the love and influence of their mothers. Through internal motivation these men were driven to push themselves to realize their plans for a successful future. They improved their social network with others who shared similar ideas, which further assisted them on their journey as they beat the odds stacked against them.