Black ethnics are Black people who are new immigrants and do not have historic ties to enslavement or the Great Migration. McMillan Cottom describes how Black ethnics are considered more valuable or elite in universities and other institutions.

Code switching describes switching between dialects, speech, behavior, and appearance. It is a strategy used by people of color to navigate predominantly White institutions. Negative stereotypes of Black people shape how they are perceived so it is considered significant for economic and social advancement. It is commonly used to describe how people switch from African American Vernacular English to a more formal English.

Discrimination or prejudice against dark skin in contrast to lighter skin tones.