Civic engagement research suggests that youths’ involvement in their communities results in a num... more Civic engagement research suggests that youths’ involvement in their communities results in a number of positive personal and social attributes. However, among urban populations, there is still a dearth of research on their involvement and the impact of civic participation on their development. More importantly within these populations, there is limited understanding of how Black male youth engage within civic participatory spaces. Increasing but limited research on young Black male youth usually focuses on identity, participation in programs, and socioeconomic levels. Further understanding is needed as to the factors which influence and impact Black male youths’ interests and actual participation in community and extracurricular activities. This paper explores data from urban African American high school male youth that include their perceptions and knowledge and attitudes toward being involved in their community through 4-H youth programs. The authors find that opportunities to le...
The general direction of global health within academia seems to have moved to a stage where easil... more The general direction of global health within academia seems to have moved to a stage where easily accessing information is vital to notions of transparency and interactions. The task of universities is to find and create pathways that inform society and our students about the realities of health across various nation states. While this might seem like a daunting task, the structure of Pan Institution Network for Global Health (PINGH) has provided avenues for exploring and addressing complex and interrelated health issues among global partners within an academic setting. This book provides a platform for unpacking both the success and challenges faced by individuals in the academy (students, faculty, and administrators) and the communities in which they work in the world of global health. Published chapters reveal a collection and dissemination of performance, networks, systems, and people that contribute to the PINGH network and its goals. PINGH in its rawest form is a moving collection of parts and people working to achieve the goal of formalizing a network that enables local and national actors to address some of the world's most pressing health issues. In coordination with local agencies, hospitals, universities, and other key individuals, the network provides a type of methodology for engagement and problem-solving. In addition to hands-on engagement and experiences, the PINGH network serves as a space for nurturing and developing ideas. The network provides a domain for those who wish to test ideas or brings together like minds to address global health issues, while also creating pathways to the inclusion of diverse individuals, sectors of society, and communities in this complex and fast-paced field.
I am myself, no matter what you see "me" as. When I was a child, I thought that I was just like e... more I am myself, no matter what you see "me" as. When I was a child, I thought that I was just like everyone else, despite the differences between you and "me." But you reminded me, whether you intended to or not, and soon I was different from the self I perceived myself to be; I was "me" to you, and me to me. For you only saw one part of me. You got stuck on it, and you could not help but stare and treat me differently because you only saw one part of the self that I am. You think you know me, but that "me" is only a facet. I have come to acknowledge "it" and I live with "it" every day-the "it" that makes you see "me" instead of me-and if not for you, I think I could sometimes forget about "it." Though we're dealing with the unspeakable, you remind me of "it" everyday, every chance encounter. Now I see myself differently, as different, through your eyes. I judge myself as you would judge me: different, abnormal. But please define normalcy for me, please do. Does being normal require having the same shape and form and color as you? Does being normal require thinking and behaving and believing the same as you? Does being normal require being the same? No, no, that would be presuming that you are claiming perfection, when all you claim is normalcy. And you have made allowances for differences in weight and height and skin color. And you have made allowances for differences in intelligence and personality and values. So what is it that separates me from you, from anybody else who is "normal"? When I was a child, and I only knew myself, and didn't see myself as you know "me," I would say there is no difference between me and you. Nothing separates us but a label you picked to plaster me, paint me, poke me with because you cannot see the real me, because you Webster 3 feel uncomfortable that we differ, because you cannot empathize though sometimes you try to sympathize, because you are "normal," and I am not. I am always myself, just a humble human, but you don't understand because you look without seeing, you hear without listening, and you speak without thinking. I have been labeled "disabled.
IMPORTANCE Food insecurity is prevalent among racial/ethnic minority populations in the US. To da... more IMPORTANCE Food insecurity is prevalent among racial/ethnic minority populations in the US. To date, few studies have examined the association between pre-COVID-19 experiences of food insecurity and COVID-19 infection rates through a race/ethnicity lens. OBJECTIVE To examine the associations of race/ethnicity and past experiences of food insecurity with COVID-19 infection rates and the interactions of race/ethnicity and food insecurity, while controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, risk exposure, and geographic confounders. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study examined the associations of race/ethnicity and food insecurity with cumulative COVID-19 infection rates in 3133 US counties, as of
Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad
Despite the growing body of literature investigating education abroad programs, there remains ver... more Despite the growing body of literature investigating education abroad programs, there remains very limited empirical research examining the perspectives of local community members who interact with visiting students. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the varying perspectives of residents within a community in Costa Rica that interact with undergraduate students from a US-based field research program. Utilizing a theoretical framework of critical theory, researchers examined the perspectives of community members with varying degrees of power. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 32 local community members, direct observations, and document analysis. Findings from this study include community members’ perceptions of opportunities and challenges of interactions with visiting students, community members’ valuing interactions and relationships with students, and the challenge of the locus of control related to community interactions being hel...
In an era marked by major political and social change, teachers of urban students must be prepare... more In an era marked by major political and social change, teachers of urban students must be prepared to engage and appreciate an ever-changing demographic of learners who come from backgrounds different from their own. In this chapter, we discuss the need for professional development embedded in culturally responsive teaching, multicultural education, and critical literacy, all of which have the power to incite social action. We posit that social action has the potential to empower and engage urban learners in meaningful ways. We believe this work fills the gap that exists in the literature regarding urban education and social and political movements
Within many urban communities, there has been a steady decline in healthy living practices among ... more Within many urban communities, there has been a steady decline in healthy living practices among minority families. This decline is often due to the lack of health services and health knowledge of youth and adults (Shirley, Roark, & Lewis, 2012). In order to better reach these particular audiences it has been suggested by scholars and practitioners to focus on community based programming. Partnerships formed through entities such as universities and community organizations have been shown to be quite successful in creating healthier families. This paper discusses one such program focused on increasing health knowledge of urban families. Activities offered included health screenings and healthy living programming for youth. Program results showed that nearly 95% of youth found the activities informative and gave them ways to think about their health and the health of their families.
To address the aging farmer population in Trinidad, W.I., a situation common to the Caribbean reg... more To address the aging farmer population in Trinidad, W.I., a situation common to the Caribbean region, a Youth Apprenticeship Program in Agriculture (YAPA) was initiated. An assessment of its effectiveness was conducted in 2007. Results indicated that present trainees went into agriculture to make “additional” income and for self employment, with “contributing to national food security” being ranked lower. They were generally satisfied with the extent of field work, the experience gained and trainers’ knowledge and skills. However, they would leave agriculture if they received other employment opportunities or if they were not provided with key resources such as land and soft loans. Past YAPA trainees had significantly changed (p
Youth engagement in agriculture has been on a decline across the globe, but even more so in devel... more Youth engagement in agriculture has been on a decline across the globe, but even more so in developing countries and regions such as the Caribbean. The average age of farmers in the region is estimated to be over 50 years with some countries averaging over 60 years. The drudgery, hard work and little financial rewards associated with agriculture seem to be the major deterrents to young persons entering the sector. While several initiatives have been tried in the region to reverse this situation, the problem still persists and has now become more urgent. This paper is positioned from a context of change and empowerment for youth engagement in agriculture across the Caribbean region. We contend that in order for young people to be fully vested in society, they must be given the resources to become fully empowered for productivity. We suggest components of a model for engagement based on an analysis of rural youth agricultural programs across the globe, arguing that because of the diversity in the region, a fixed model would be inappropriate. Each country could choose from the essential components to make their own model. From this perspective, we believe that the face and more importantly, the productivity of agriculture can be changed if young people within the Caribbean are supported by appropriate, sustainable interventions that allow them to fully engage the sector.
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2014
The economies of most countries in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are depend... more The economies of most countries in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are dependent on farming, most of which is done mainly by small farmers in mixed cropping systems. The government is also the main provider of extension services. This study sought to assess farmers' satisfaction with the extensions services and identify areas for improvement. Some 462 farmers in five OECS countries were selected and surveyed in 2013. A farmers' satisfaction index was developed based on 26 statements in a Likert-type scale, and used as the dependent variable. Data were analyzed using STATA 9 and descriptive frequencies and multiple linear regression results were presented. Results showed that farmers' overall satisfaction with extension was moderate. Farmers' age, gender, education level, size of farm, number of parcels farmed, number of extension visits received, and whether farmers operated on a full time or part time basis significantly influenced farmers' level of satisfaction. Recommendations included: the redefinition of target farmers, as well as the scope of extension programs for intervention to meet these states' food security goals; the improvement of the technical capacities of extension officers; the expansion of group development work; and the increased use of ICTs for information dissemination and the provision of ICT hardware for extension staff.
The urgent need for developing nations to ensure food security has driven efforts to increase you... more The urgent need for developing nations to ensure food security has driven efforts to increase youth participation in agriculture within recent times. The Youth Apprenticeship Programme in Agriculture (YAPA) in Trinidad and Tobago is a government-sponsored ...
As society becomes more diverse, it is critical that educators provide multiple levels and types ... more As society becomes more diverse, it is critical that educators provide multiple levels and types of experiences for our students to engage and interact in a multicultural environment. Due to institutional, geographic, and/or departmental demographics, many collegiate students can complete their baccalaureate degree program with limited interaction with individuals from different cultures or ethnic groups. This study utilized a service learning activity as a bridge between a minority-based collegiate organization and an adolescent leadership development class. Participants provided input and reflection on their participation in this event. Four themes: fear of the unknown, moving out of your comfort zone, group activity, and personal impact, emerged from this study that will be used to shape and direct future multicultural service learning activities. Findings support the use of service learning as a positive vehicle to expose students to individuals from different cultures and as a model for future multicultural learning activities with youth based organizations.
This study explored the civic engagement of English-speaking black Caribbean adults within the Un... more This study explored the civic engagement of English-speaking black Caribbean adults within the United Kingdom. We situated our work within the literature on segmented assimilation to guide analyses and make interpretations. We used the Citizenship Survey of 2010-2011 (N = 16,966) to conduct our analyses as this database contained a sizeable sample of Caribbean adults (n = 1100). We used descriptive and regression analyses to explore the civic participation of Caribbeans and determined the extent to which sex, age, and generation status mattered. Findings demonstrate that Caribbeans are more likely to enact civic participation rather than activism and consultation. Their main motivational factors for being engaged were to serve the community and make local changes. Finally, female and 1.5 generation Caribbeans were more civically engaged. We discuss our findings in terms of assimilation patterns, ethnic minority integration, and educative strategies communities may take to increase c...
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Problematizing service-learning: critical refl... more Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Problematizing service-learning: critical reflections for development and action/edited by Trae Stewart, Nicole Webster, p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-61735-209-6 (pbk.)-ISBN 978-1-61735-210-2 ( ...
Some countries in the Caribbean have initiated youth oriented projects to address their aging far... more Some countries in the Caribbean have initiated youth oriented projects to address their aging farming population while others are developing policies to encourage youth to pursue a career in food production. A study conducted among 109 students of agriculture (56% female:44% male) at the secondary level in St. Vincent and the Grenadines sought to determine students' perceptions of the incentives and disincentives to pursuing a career in food production, the likelihood that they will engage in farming in the near future and their preferred areas of food production. A close ended, self reporting survey instrument was used to collect data. Results indicated that income generation, changing the nature of farming in SVG and studying agricultural science in school were the top ranked reasons for considering a future in agriculture. The highest ranked disincentives were lack of government support, the costs of starting up an enterprise and lack of local agricultural training opportunit...
Extension educators often seek new strategies for engaging minority youths in 4-H programs, espec... more Extension educators often seek new strategies for engaging minority youths in 4-H programs, especially young Black males. These strategies require programming developed in response to the context of this population. We offer insights into the social context of Black males and offer suggestions that will help educators develop identity and integrative site-based programs for this population.
Civic engagement research suggests that youths’ involvement in their communities results in a num... more Civic engagement research suggests that youths’ involvement in their communities results in a number of positive personal and social attributes. However, among urban populations, there is still a dearth of research on their involvement and the impact of civic participation on their development. More importantly within these populations, there is limited understanding of how Black male youth engage within civic participatory spaces. Increasing but limited research on young Black male youth usually focuses on identity, participation in programs, and socioeconomic levels. Further understanding is needed as to the factors which influence and impact Black male youths’ interests and actual participation in community and extracurricular activities. This paper explores data from urban African American high school male youth that include their perceptions and knowledge and attitudes toward being involved in their community through 4-H youth programs. The authors find that opportunities to le...
The general direction of global health within academia seems to have moved to a stage where easil... more The general direction of global health within academia seems to have moved to a stage where easily accessing information is vital to notions of transparency and interactions. The task of universities is to find and create pathways that inform society and our students about the realities of health across various nation states. While this might seem like a daunting task, the structure of Pan Institution Network for Global Health (PINGH) has provided avenues for exploring and addressing complex and interrelated health issues among global partners within an academic setting. This book provides a platform for unpacking both the success and challenges faced by individuals in the academy (students, faculty, and administrators) and the communities in which they work in the world of global health. Published chapters reveal a collection and dissemination of performance, networks, systems, and people that contribute to the PINGH network and its goals. PINGH in its rawest form is a moving collection of parts and people working to achieve the goal of formalizing a network that enables local and national actors to address some of the world's most pressing health issues. In coordination with local agencies, hospitals, universities, and other key individuals, the network provides a type of methodology for engagement and problem-solving. In addition to hands-on engagement and experiences, the PINGH network serves as a space for nurturing and developing ideas. The network provides a domain for those who wish to test ideas or brings together like minds to address global health issues, while also creating pathways to the inclusion of diverse individuals, sectors of society, and communities in this complex and fast-paced field.
I am myself, no matter what you see "me" as. When I was a child, I thought that I was just like e... more I am myself, no matter what you see "me" as. When I was a child, I thought that I was just like everyone else, despite the differences between you and "me." But you reminded me, whether you intended to or not, and soon I was different from the self I perceived myself to be; I was "me" to you, and me to me. For you only saw one part of me. You got stuck on it, and you could not help but stare and treat me differently because you only saw one part of the self that I am. You think you know me, but that "me" is only a facet. I have come to acknowledge "it" and I live with "it" every day-the "it" that makes you see "me" instead of me-and if not for you, I think I could sometimes forget about "it." Though we're dealing with the unspeakable, you remind me of "it" everyday, every chance encounter. Now I see myself differently, as different, through your eyes. I judge myself as you would judge me: different, abnormal. But please define normalcy for me, please do. Does being normal require having the same shape and form and color as you? Does being normal require thinking and behaving and believing the same as you? Does being normal require being the same? No, no, that would be presuming that you are claiming perfection, when all you claim is normalcy. And you have made allowances for differences in weight and height and skin color. And you have made allowances for differences in intelligence and personality and values. So what is it that separates me from you, from anybody else who is "normal"? When I was a child, and I only knew myself, and didn't see myself as you know "me," I would say there is no difference between me and you. Nothing separates us but a label you picked to plaster me, paint me, poke me with because you cannot see the real me, because you Webster 3 feel uncomfortable that we differ, because you cannot empathize though sometimes you try to sympathize, because you are "normal," and I am not. I am always myself, just a humble human, but you don't understand because you look without seeing, you hear without listening, and you speak without thinking. I have been labeled "disabled.
IMPORTANCE Food insecurity is prevalent among racial/ethnic minority populations in the US. To da... more IMPORTANCE Food insecurity is prevalent among racial/ethnic minority populations in the US. To date, few studies have examined the association between pre-COVID-19 experiences of food insecurity and COVID-19 infection rates through a race/ethnicity lens. OBJECTIVE To examine the associations of race/ethnicity and past experiences of food insecurity with COVID-19 infection rates and the interactions of race/ethnicity and food insecurity, while controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, risk exposure, and geographic confounders. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study examined the associations of race/ethnicity and food insecurity with cumulative COVID-19 infection rates in 3133 US counties, as of
Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad
Despite the growing body of literature investigating education abroad programs, there remains ver... more Despite the growing body of literature investigating education abroad programs, there remains very limited empirical research examining the perspectives of local community members who interact with visiting students. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to explore the varying perspectives of residents within a community in Costa Rica that interact with undergraduate students from a US-based field research program. Utilizing a theoretical framework of critical theory, researchers examined the perspectives of community members with varying degrees of power. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 32 local community members, direct observations, and document analysis. Findings from this study include community members’ perceptions of opportunities and challenges of interactions with visiting students, community members’ valuing interactions and relationships with students, and the challenge of the locus of control related to community interactions being hel...
In an era marked by major political and social change, teachers of urban students must be prepare... more In an era marked by major political and social change, teachers of urban students must be prepared to engage and appreciate an ever-changing demographic of learners who come from backgrounds different from their own. In this chapter, we discuss the need for professional development embedded in culturally responsive teaching, multicultural education, and critical literacy, all of which have the power to incite social action. We posit that social action has the potential to empower and engage urban learners in meaningful ways. We believe this work fills the gap that exists in the literature regarding urban education and social and political movements
Within many urban communities, there has been a steady decline in healthy living practices among ... more Within many urban communities, there has been a steady decline in healthy living practices among minority families. This decline is often due to the lack of health services and health knowledge of youth and adults (Shirley, Roark, & Lewis, 2012). In order to better reach these particular audiences it has been suggested by scholars and practitioners to focus on community based programming. Partnerships formed through entities such as universities and community organizations have been shown to be quite successful in creating healthier families. This paper discusses one such program focused on increasing health knowledge of urban families. Activities offered included health screenings and healthy living programming for youth. Program results showed that nearly 95% of youth found the activities informative and gave them ways to think about their health and the health of their families.
To address the aging farmer population in Trinidad, W.I., a situation common to the Caribbean reg... more To address the aging farmer population in Trinidad, W.I., a situation common to the Caribbean region, a Youth Apprenticeship Program in Agriculture (YAPA) was initiated. An assessment of its effectiveness was conducted in 2007. Results indicated that present trainees went into agriculture to make “additional” income and for self employment, with “contributing to national food security” being ranked lower. They were generally satisfied with the extent of field work, the experience gained and trainers’ knowledge and skills. However, they would leave agriculture if they received other employment opportunities or if they were not provided with key resources such as land and soft loans. Past YAPA trainees had significantly changed (p
Youth engagement in agriculture has been on a decline across the globe, but even more so in devel... more Youth engagement in agriculture has been on a decline across the globe, but even more so in developing countries and regions such as the Caribbean. The average age of farmers in the region is estimated to be over 50 years with some countries averaging over 60 years. The drudgery, hard work and little financial rewards associated with agriculture seem to be the major deterrents to young persons entering the sector. While several initiatives have been tried in the region to reverse this situation, the problem still persists and has now become more urgent. This paper is positioned from a context of change and empowerment for youth engagement in agriculture across the Caribbean region. We contend that in order for young people to be fully vested in society, they must be given the resources to become fully empowered for productivity. We suggest components of a model for engagement based on an analysis of rural youth agricultural programs across the globe, arguing that because of the diversity in the region, a fixed model would be inappropriate. Each country could choose from the essential components to make their own model. From this perspective, we believe that the face and more importantly, the productivity of agriculture can be changed if young people within the Caribbean are supported by appropriate, sustainable interventions that allow them to fully engage the sector.
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2014
The economies of most countries in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are depend... more The economies of most countries in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are dependent on farming, most of which is done mainly by small farmers in mixed cropping systems. The government is also the main provider of extension services. This study sought to assess farmers' satisfaction with the extensions services and identify areas for improvement. Some 462 farmers in five OECS countries were selected and surveyed in 2013. A farmers' satisfaction index was developed based on 26 statements in a Likert-type scale, and used as the dependent variable. Data were analyzed using STATA 9 and descriptive frequencies and multiple linear regression results were presented. Results showed that farmers' overall satisfaction with extension was moderate. Farmers' age, gender, education level, size of farm, number of parcels farmed, number of extension visits received, and whether farmers operated on a full time or part time basis significantly influenced farmers' level of satisfaction. Recommendations included: the redefinition of target farmers, as well as the scope of extension programs for intervention to meet these states' food security goals; the improvement of the technical capacities of extension officers; the expansion of group development work; and the increased use of ICTs for information dissemination and the provision of ICT hardware for extension staff.
The urgent need for developing nations to ensure food security has driven efforts to increase you... more The urgent need for developing nations to ensure food security has driven efforts to increase youth participation in agriculture within recent times. The Youth Apprenticeship Programme in Agriculture (YAPA) in Trinidad and Tobago is a government-sponsored ...
As society becomes more diverse, it is critical that educators provide multiple levels and types ... more As society becomes more diverse, it is critical that educators provide multiple levels and types of experiences for our students to engage and interact in a multicultural environment. Due to institutional, geographic, and/or departmental demographics, many collegiate students can complete their baccalaureate degree program with limited interaction with individuals from different cultures or ethnic groups. This study utilized a service learning activity as a bridge between a minority-based collegiate organization and an adolescent leadership development class. Participants provided input and reflection on their participation in this event. Four themes: fear of the unknown, moving out of your comfort zone, group activity, and personal impact, emerged from this study that will be used to shape and direct future multicultural service learning activities. Findings support the use of service learning as a positive vehicle to expose students to individuals from different cultures and as a model for future multicultural learning activities with youth based organizations.
This study explored the civic engagement of English-speaking black Caribbean adults within the Un... more This study explored the civic engagement of English-speaking black Caribbean adults within the United Kingdom. We situated our work within the literature on segmented assimilation to guide analyses and make interpretations. We used the Citizenship Survey of 2010-2011 (N = 16,966) to conduct our analyses as this database contained a sizeable sample of Caribbean adults (n = 1100). We used descriptive and regression analyses to explore the civic participation of Caribbeans and determined the extent to which sex, age, and generation status mattered. Findings demonstrate that Caribbeans are more likely to enact civic participation rather than activism and consultation. Their main motivational factors for being engaged were to serve the community and make local changes. Finally, female and 1.5 generation Caribbeans were more civically engaged. We discuss our findings in terms of assimilation patterns, ethnic minority integration, and educative strategies communities may take to increase c...
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Problematizing service-learning: critical refl... more Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Problematizing service-learning: critical reflections for development and action/edited by Trae Stewart, Nicole Webster, p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-1-61735-209-6 (pbk.)-ISBN 978-1-61735-210-2 ( ...
Some countries in the Caribbean have initiated youth oriented projects to address their aging far... more Some countries in the Caribbean have initiated youth oriented projects to address their aging farming population while others are developing policies to encourage youth to pursue a career in food production. A study conducted among 109 students of agriculture (56% female:44% male) at the secondary level in St. Vincent and the Grenadines sought to determine students' perceptions of the incentives and disincentives to pursuing a career in food production, the likelihood that they will engage in farming in the near future and their preferred areas of food production. A close ended, self reporting survey instrument was used to collect data. Results indicated that income generation, changing the nature of farming in SVG and studying agricultural science in school were the top ranked reasons for considering a future in agriculture. The highest ranked disincentives were lack of government support, the costs of starting up an enterprise and lack of local agricultural training opportunit...
Extension educators often seek new strategies for engaging minority youths in 4-H programs, espec... more Extension educators often seek new strategies for engaging minority youths in 4-H programs, especially young Black males. These strategies require programming developed in response to the context of this population. We offer insights into the social context of Black males and offer suggestions that will help educators develop identity and integrative site-based programs for this population.
Uploads
Papers by Nicole Webster