Who Do I Turn To? A Qualitative Exploration of Black Women Academicians' Experiences Navigating the Academy

• In Event: 63.084 - MTCC Roundtable Session 25
  In Roundtable Session: 63.084-11 - Networking and Mentorship Supports for Women

Abstract

This paper examines the experiences of Black women faculty in the academy. Research consistently finds that minoritized faculty have divergent experiences in comparison to their white counterparts when it comes to socialization, mentorship, and the tenure and promotion process. For Black women faculty, the intersection of race and gender further complicates their professional academic journeys. Six Black women report their experiences in which they faced obstacles rooted in racism, sexism, anti-Blackness, and misogynoir. These and other institutional factors mediating Black women’s experiences in the academy are the focus of this qualitative study. Implications are offered for institutions committed to creating equitable spaces for women to thrive professional and personally.

Author

• Rema Ella Reynolds, Eastern Michigan University