While many studies have examined the academic achievement of African Americans attending predominantly White institutions (PWIs) compared to their experiences at Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), researchers have neglected to thoroughly examine academic achievement in the context of Black colleges for African American males. To this end, this article presents a qualitative study of 11 African American men who entered a historically Black college and university (HBCU) academically unprepared but who persisted to graduation. Findings provide compelling evidence that non-cognitive factors, coupled with institutional support, were significant variables in students’ retention and persistence.