Research of the opportunity and achievement gap shows: "College completion rates vary, with Black and Hispanic students earning credentials at a lower rate than white and Asian students" (Tate, 2017, pg.1). The purpose of this correlational study was to explore the relationship between grade-point average (GPA) (indicator of academic success) and childhood trauma of African-American Black-identified college students. Youth who experience trauma are more likely to have a low GPA and more difficulty completing academic courses (Cox, Reason, Nix, and Gillman 2016). This research study utilized questions from the ACEs questionnaire; from which a score is generated, and is used to calculate "childhood stress." The original ACEs study, and others, determined that ACEs increases the risk of poor academic achievement (Violence Prevention, 2016). [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]