"I Don't Have a Place, I Have People": Fostering Nepantlero in Welcoming and Affirming Environments

• In Event: Rethinking Community Engagement Across Youth Development

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate how the perspectives of youth can inform teaching across school and community contexts, specifically towards creating welcoming spaces that foster healing. Data examined in this study is part of an on-going, multi-year, community-based Youth Participatory Action Research initiative. We focus on the perspective of one youth participant as he navigates the overlapping relationships and commitments he experiences as an advocate, mentor, mediator, Black boy, student, and community member.

Authors

• Sabrina Zarza, Michigan State University

• Joanne E. Marciano, Michigan State University

• Beth A. Herbel-Eisenmann, Michigan State University

• Audriyana Jaber, Michigan State University

• Ismael Jaber, Michigan State University