Book excerpt: A companion to the author's Success Factors of Young African American Males (1998), this study examines the historical, sociological, and psychological adversity that African American women have had to transcend. This volume contains case studies of young African American women. The young women share their experiences and insights and show how they have overcome considerable obstacles and persevered in obtaining a college education at an historically black college.The author compares, contrasts, and analyzes the comments of both groups, male and female, and their affect on each other. The book includes first-person narrations of young women, growing up in an inner city environment. From the voices and perspectives of college students, readers will become aware of the obstacles still plaguing black youth. Their individual interviews include accounts of violence, murder, poverty, unwed motherhood, prostitution, drug abuse, one-parent homes, and lack of role models.