The authors use a phenomenological research tradition grounded in CRT tenets to describe the daily lived experiences that 12 male African American youth had in relation to the achievement gap. Researchers collected individual semi-structured interviews and focus group data related to the study phenomenon. There were five themes identified in participant data: (a) achievement gap or resource gap? (b) salience of parental support, (c) environmental obstacles related to academic achievement, (d) individual motivation and effort, and (e) resiliency and persistence in the face of racism. Implications for school counseling research, practice, and advocacy with African American male youth and study limitations are discussed.