This article discusses broadly, the literature on racial-ethnic identity (REI) and its role as a factor to promote academic success in young African American adolescents, in particular males. The review also defines, describes, and interprets styles of self-presentation that reflect aspects of REI among African American males in and outside of school toward the development of a healthy REI. The overall objective of this review of literature is to change the often negative ways in which society thinks and talks about African American students, especially males, in terms of their REI and their academic achievement toward the development of a healthy REI.