And Still I Rise: Mapping the Educational Journeys of Black Girls in Foster Care

• In Event: Broadening the Story and Defying the Odds: The Experiences of Black Girls in Educational Settings

Abstract

This work is an exploration of the educational journeys of four Black girls as they simultaneously navigate two systems that perpetuate violence against Black girls: the public school and the child welfare systems. Foregrounding a Critical Race Feminist theoretical lens, this paper traces these students’ educational journeys in order to shed light on the navigational strategies and practices systems-impacted Black girls employ in order to persist, survive, and thrive in school. Their stories reveal how socio-contextual factors including family dynamics, poverty, and violence complicate their experiences in school. At the same time, these challenging life circumstances drive Black girls’ academic persistence and motivation to succeed -- as these students embrace education as a pathway toward authoring a brighter future.

Authors

• Jamelia Nicole Harris, National Crittenton

• Brianna Marche' Harvey, California State University - Fullerton