A Black Feminist Youth Participatory Action Research PhotoVoice Exploration of Black Girls and College Women

• In Event: A Closer Look at Qualitative Research Methods Employed in the Research on Women and Education

Abstract

Black girls and college women report experiences of racism, discrimination, and marginalization that impact their sociocultural and educational experiences. This study employs a Black feminist youth participatory action research approach (YPAR) and photovoice to explore how 9 Black adolescent girls (14-16) and 7 Black college women (19-22) conceptualize their gendered racial identities and experiences in predominately white schools. Preliminary results from 15 photovoice narratives illuminate 4 themes related to identity representation and experiences in predominately white institutions. Results indicate that Black girls and women can not only identify and critically discuss issues related to Black girls and women within PWIs, but through YPAR, they can push for positive youth development push for community solutions related to those issues.

Authors

• Ashley Payne, Missouri State University

• Whitney Akalugwu, Missouri State University

• Megan Harty, Missouri State University