I would begin by asking that student why they would want to change who they are? I would also explain that black (African American) is just a race and race does not determine the qualties of what makes a person successful or not. I would then find other famous and influential people in America that are of different ethnicities and expose my students to those indivudiuals as well. Furthermore I would ask that particular student to do a character analysis on themselves, I'd have them list the qualities that make them who they are. I find similar qualaties that are present in famous Americans as well.