While SEL competencies lay the groundwork for personal and social growth, the elements of the Black SEL Framework serve as a vital conduit for cultural empowerment within African-American families and communities. By embracing a culturally responsive and affirming approach, the Black SEL Framework enriches SEL practices by embedding them within the context of Black cultural heritage and experiences, thereby enhancing their relevance and effectiveness in Black communities.
The integration of the five competencies of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) with the six pillars of the Black SEL Framework offers a synergistic approach to addressing the unique needs and experiences of Black individuals and communities.
The Black SEL Framework is built upon three (3) core elements.
Power for Black SEL emphasizes culturally affirming practices that honor Black identity, history, and lived experiences. It strives to equip Black students and professionals with the tools to navigate systemic challenges while fostering emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and community-centered leadership.
Individual Action with Black SEL refers to the intentional steps that individuals take to integrate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into their personal lives, with a focus on fostering the well-being, growth, and empowerment of Black people. It involves a commitment to self-awareness, self-management, and resilience, ultimately working towards collective action.
Sustainability with Black SEL means creating long-term, systemic change that ensures Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is continuously relevant, accessible, and impactful for Black individuals and communities. It’s about building lasting structures that support the emotional well-being, cultural affirmation, and empowerment of Black students, educators, and leaders for generations.
| Black Self-Concept |  |
| Lived Civics |  |
| Critical Consciousness |  |
| Black Social & Emotional Learning |
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Inclusion of Community Stakeholders |
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Civic Engagement |
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Social Responsibility |
Black Self-Concept: refers to the self-perception and identity that Black individuals hold, shaped by their racial and cultural experiences. It encompasses the ways in which Black people view themselves, their abilities, their worth, and their roles within both the Black community and the broader society. This concept is influenced by a variety of factors including family, community, media, historical context, and personal experiences with systemic racism and discrimination. A strong Black self-concept is often linked to a sense of pride, resilience, and empowerment, reflecting an understanding and appreciation of one’s heritage, culture, and individual potential.
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Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making – the five SEL competencies – are closely intertwined with the elements of the Black SEL Framework.
Similarly, social awareness involves understanding and empathizing with others’ perspectives and experiences. This aligns with the concept of lived civics and civic attitudes and empowerment within the Black SEL Framework, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing and validating Black individuals’ cultural socialization and experiences and understanding the experiences of those and the world around them. By promoting social awareness through lived civics and civic attitudes and empowerment, Black SEL framework helps Black individuals explicitly develop an awareness of their socialization and empathy, respect, and appreciation for diverse backgrounds and experiences, contributing to positive social interactions and inclusive communities.
Self-awareness involves recognizing one’s own identity, strengths, and areas for growth, which aligns with the concept of racial identity formation within the Black SEL Framework. By fostering self-awareness, SEL helps individuals develop a deeper understanding of how their racial and cultural identities influence their thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Additionally, relationship skills and responsible decision-making – two other SEL competencies – are essential for navigating social interactions, building positive relationships, and making ethical choices. These competencies are interconnected with elements such as the inclusion of community stakeholders, social responsibility, and critical consciousness within the Black SEL Framework. By emphasizing the importance of community engagement, ethical leadership, and critical analysis of social systems, SEL empowers individuals to advocate for social justice, challenge systemic inequalities, and work towards a more equitable and just society.
Lastly, by integrating self-management with all six elements of the Black SEL Framework, Black individuals gain invaluable tools and skills to navigate their personal and cultural identities with confidence. They learn to regulate their emotions amidst adversity, steadfastly anchored themselves in motivation, and cultivate resilience in the face of challenges. Empowered by these abilities, they are poised to actively participate in social transformation, contributing positively to their communities and beyond.
Download our Black SEL Summer Institute research brief to see some data around how Black SEL connects with SEL + Transformative SEL.
Connecting the Black SEL Framework with Transformative SEL: A Pathway to Equity, Excellence, and Empowerment. Download the Black SEL Seminal Paper.
