This critical qualitative study examines the ways first-generation Students of Color (Latina/o/x, African American, Native American, and biracial) at two predominantly White institutions in the Midwest activate their college knowledge, or cultural capital, to assist youth from their communities in viewing higher education as a viable option. In sharing cultural capital, participants are actively attempting to influence the habitus of youth of Color. By encouraging the pursuit of higher education, participants in this study were engaging in communal uplift. Findings reveal the need for colleges and universities to acknowledge, validate and support underrepresented students in their communal uplift efforts.
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