This qualitative study explored factors contributing to the retention of students of color while pursuing a graduate degree at a predominantly White institution. Ten students of color (9 female; 23 to 31 years old) participated in the study. Eight were pursuing a doctorate in psychology. Two were pursuing a master's degree in higher education and anthropology. Participants represented various U.S. geographical regions, including Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Southwest. Participants emphasized the important role racial identity salience played in their perception of the program environment and navigating challenges unique to their experiences as students of color. They indicated that program racial climate, availability and quality of social support within their program, access to resources and support outside of their program, and individual resilience each had a critical part in persistence toward degree completion. The results suggest that the following are key in retaining students of color: learning environments that are safe, inclusive, and acknowledge the multiple facets of their identities. Public Significance StatementAlthough enrollment of students of color in predominantly White institutions' graduate programs has rapidly increased in recent years, attrition rates remain high. This study reports experiences that both helped and hindered the educational tenure of graduate students of color. The study also serves to assist graduate programs in forming tailored support to improve retention of students of color.

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The Triune God has always championed the cause of those who are oppressed. Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension display the perfect embodiment of social justice. #BlackOutTuesday was one of the largest online social justice demonstrations to date. The proceeds of #BlackoutTuesday and the overwhelming lack of follow-up action after the event provide a window into current activism and the ways in which historic patterns are still prevalent despite the veneer of increased awareness. While current patterns of activism may commonly stop at a black square, the call of Christ invites his followers to move beyond such performative actions into true anti-racist action. This article aims to apply the integration of psychology and theology to modern-day social justice issues using three perspectives that center allyship, false hope, and amplifying silenced voices through the lens of the impetus for #BlackoutTuesday, its misrepresentation in the media, and its actual impact and fallout.