Background Patient navigation (PN) has been an effective intervention to increase cancer screening rates. This study focuses on predicting outcomes of screening colonoscopy (SC) for colorectal cancer among African Americans using different PN formats. Methods In a randomized clinical trial, patients over 50 years of age without significant comorbidities were randomized into three navigation groups: Peer-PN (n = 181), Pro-PN (n = 123) and Standard (n = 46). Pro-PNs were health professionals who performed culturally targeted navigation whereas Peer-PNs were community members trained in PN who also discussed their personal experiences with SC. Two assessments gathered sociodemographic, medical, and intrapersonal information. Results SC completion rate was 75.7% across all groups with no significant differences in completion between the three study arms. Annual income over $10,000 was an independent predictor of SC adherence. Unexpectedly, low social influence also predicted SC completion. Conclusions In an urban African American population, PN was effective in increasing SC rates to 15% above the national average, regardless of PN type or content. Impact Because PN successfully increases colonoscopy adherence, cultural targeting may not be necessary in some populations.