Jamarkus Guest, MSW

Jamarkus research interest focuses on Black youth leveraging their social capital to navigate systemic racism, achieve cultural influence, foster personal growth, and combat stigma. Social capital, in this context, encompasses the networks, relationships, and resources that young people draw upon to build resilience and create pathways for success despite structural barriers. By studying how Black youth utilize these assets, Jamarkus aims to shed light on the nuanced ways they resist systemic oppression and develop strategies for growth and empowerment. Employing Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPR) ensures that the research is not only about the communities he will study but also conducted with them. Jamarkus believes this work has the potential to contribute meaningfully to policy, practice, and advocacy efforts. By identifying social capital as a protective factor, with his research he seeks to develop interventions that build on the strengths of Black youth and their communities, rather than focus solely on deficits or challenges.

MSW:
University of West Florida – Pensacola, Florida

Research Interests:
Community-Based Participatory Action Research
Barriers to Academic Success
Racial Identity Development

View Jamarkus’ CV