Roots Rising

How can the Ubuntu Philosophy influence the well-being of African-American teenagers? This South African worldview—captured in the Zulu proverb “A person is a person through other persons”—offers a protective framework against violence by emphasizing community interconnectedness over individualism.

When sixteen-year-old Jamal joined the Ubuntu Leadership Academy in Chicago, he arrived withdrawn and defensive after witnessing neighborhood violence. Through the program’s focus on five core competencies—self-knowledge, self-confidence, resilience, empathy, and service—he gradually transformed. “Before, I’d react instantly if someone disrespected me,” Jamal explains. “Now I ask myself how my actions affect my community.”

The Academy’s approach mirrors successful intervention programs across urban centers, where African-American teens practice conflict resolution through communication rather than confrontation. In Baltimore, where similar principles were implemented in three high schools, disciplinary incidents decreased by 47% over two years.

Role models who embody Ubuntu principles prove particularly effective. When civil rights activist DeRay McKesson spoke at Jamal’s school, students witnessed how community advocacy creates meaningful change. “He showed us how to channel frustration into organization,” says Keisha, another program participant.

Beyond violence prevention, Ubuntu-based initiatives address educational and vocational development. The “Each One Teach One” tutoring network in Atlanta demonstrates how community success becomes personal success. Their college preparation programs have helped over 300 students secure higher education opportunities since 2018, with 85% of participants reporting stronger community ties as a key motivator for their academic persistence.

The philosophy’s emphasis on mutual success naturally supports educational attainment and career development. When communities establish tutoring programs, college preparation resources, and vocational training through an Ubuntu lens, teenagers understand that their academic and professional growth strengthens their entire community. By integrating Ubuntu principles into youth development, we nurture empathic, ethically-minded individuals prepared to break cycles of violence and build more cohesive communities.

By Roland McFadden, MA

Sources:

Mandela, Nelson. Long Walk to Freedom.

Tutu, Desmond. No Future Without Forgiveness.