Building Bridges: Linking Old Heads to Collective Efficacy in Disadvantaged Communities ^1,2

Recent reports of police shootings and urban unrest have increased public awareness of the nonwhite experience in communities long plagued by disadvantage and racial inequality. Given current times, there is little research that examines how community residents maintain social ties and trust. Race relations literature finds that support and trust come from “old heads,” community residents who have a reputation of respect and serve as mentors. Although traditionally old heads are defined as older, minority males with a history of employment, “redeemed” old heads exist. This research provides in-depth interviews with old heads to better understand the residents who characterize this group but also to illustrate the roles they play in their communities. Our results suggest that old heads engage in, and build up, their communities through three themes: linking people to resources, solving problems, and establishing social ties. Attempts are made to link old heads to research on collective efficacy, which captures community level efforts to advance social cohesion and a willingness to engage in informal social control when combating crime and disorder. We conclude with a discussion of how future research can better incorporate old heads as an aspect of community life.