Research has shown that the adolescent African American male, in comparison to his peers of other races, is challenged by a diversity of destructive factors that significantly affect his future. This study examined the disparity in academic achievement that exists between African American male students and other student populations in the United States to determine why in national averages, African American males rank in the lowest percentile. As a means of narrowing the achievement gap, this study focused on African American males, 18 years of age and older from the southeastern United States. From a qualitative, phenomenological approach, African American males experientially identified four significant factors that motivated them to achieve the academic success of graduating from high school despite the barriers of educational and socioeconomic inequality and damaging perceptions and stereotypes. The study descriptively identified the factors that motivated them to achieve academic success. These findings will enable educators to identify improved methods to assist others to achieve academic success, despite both avoidable and unavoidable challenges. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]