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Abstract
Recent theory and findings suggest that even while enduring adverse social circumstances such as poverty, Black male youth exhibit strengths that can aid in their development. Some frameworks maintain that youth strengths can be fostered through involvement in youth programs that emphasize civic engagement. One form of civic engagement that is receiving increased attention is community gardening (CG). This study examined how a manhood development organization, The Males Place INC. (TMP), utilized community gardening to promote development among Black male youth. Drawing on Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Sociopolitical Development (SPD) frameworks, I analyzed 11 interviews with graduates of the program and observations of current participants to describe how community gardening within TMP helps Black male youth cultivate important strengths. Results indicate that CG facilitated development in Black male youth by promoting gains in the 5 C’s of PYD: competence, confidence, connection, character and caring. Additionally, my analysis suggests that as Black male youth contributed to their community, they contemporaneously developed the 5 C’s. I highlight broad implications of how these results can inform how community programs use community gardens to promote healthy development among Black male youth living in challenging environments.