Empowering Literacy Practices Among African Immigrant Girls: The Transformative Power of Critical Literacy and Social Praxis

• In Event: 70.029 - Examining Resilience and Agency Across Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

This qualitative research study examines how a community-based organization, Sauti Yetu’s Girl’s Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (GELI), empowers the literacy development of African immigrant girls who are identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) and Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE) in New York City schools. We draw upon sociocultural and critical perspectives of literacy to examine how GELI addresses the academic and social needs of African immigrant girls. The overarching goals of the research include 1) identifying how Sauti Yetu’s programming activities promote critical literacy for academic support 2) examining how Sauti Yetu facilitates social praxis in community spaces. Our study sheds light on how multiple stakeholders (community organizations, schools, and immigrant students) can forge alliances in urban communities.

Authors

• Michelle G. Knight-Manuel, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Crystal Chen, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Karishma Desai, Teachers College, Columbia University