https://doi.org/10.1177/1538192717699048 Journal of Hispanic Higher Education 2018, Vol. 17(4) 317–331 © The Author(s) 2017 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/1538192717699048 journals.sagepub.com/home/jhh Article Being and Becoming Men of Character: Exploring Latino and Black Males’ Brotherhood and Masculinity Through Leadership in College Derrick R. Brooms 1 , Jelisa Clark 1 , and Matthew Smith 2 Abstract This article advances knowledge on the significance of engagement and leadership for five Latino and Black male student leaders at a Hispanic-serving institution. By exploring their experiences in a male-centered initiative, identity and masculinity emerged as salient frames to understand students’ engagement on campus. Individual and focus group interviews yielded that relationships and male peer-to-peer bonding built on students’ cultural wealth by providing unique opportunities for learning and self-growth. Implications are offered as well. Resumen Este artículo avanza el conocimiento del significado de la conexión y el liderazgo en cinco estudiantes hombres latinos y negros líderes en una institución de educación superior que sirve a hispanos. Al explorar sus experiencias en una iniciativa centrada en masculinidad: identidad y masculinaidad emergieron como marcos salientes para entender la conexión de estudiantes y su universidad. Entrevistas individuales y grupos foco indicaron que relaciones y amistades de compañeros hombres construídas a través de la riqueza cultural de estudiantes, proveen oportunidades únicas para aprender y desarrollarse. Además se ofrecen implicaciones. Keywords Latino and Black males, engagement, masculinity, leadership, peer bonding 1 University of Louisville, KY, USA 2 California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, USA Corresponding Author: Derrick R. Brooms, Department of Sociology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Louisville, 118 Lutz Hall, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. Email: dr.brooms@louisville.edu 699048JHH XX X 10.1177/1538192717699048Journal of Hispanic Higher EducationBrooms et al. research-article 2017