This commentary reflects on research studies included in this special issue, Black Lives Matter! Systems of Oppression Affecting Black Youth. A key finding in these studies is significance of developmental and social behavioral sciences to center systemic racism and oppression in studies of Black youth to more fully understand and explain how contextual factors and processes impact their everyday life experiences. This collection of papers offers insights and recommendations of ways advance research studies by expanding research to include upstream policies and practices and explain their roles in perpetuating oppression and discrimination. Applying multi-socio-ecological theoretical frameworks may demonstrate effective pathways to reduce environmental toxins that hinder positive health and well-being for adolescents, their families, and communities.
Keywords: black american families; black lives matter; environmental toxins; positive youth development; systemic racism.
© 2022 Society for Research on Adolescence.