Empowering Black Communities Through Collaborative, Community-Engaged Research With the BRC

• In Event: Collaboratives, Collectives, and Communities: Making a Home for Research Among the People

Abstract

Objectives and Purpose: This presentation is dedicated to illuminating the dynamic efforts of one Chicago organization (BRC), as we navigate an increasingly challenging landscape marred by escalating antiblack legislation and circumscribed educational policies. The focus is dual-pronged: we first aim to underscore the transformative potential of BRC's distinctive approach to community-based participatory research (CBPR), and then pivot to inspire meaningful dialogue about the victories and hurdles that arise when these revolutionary methodologies interact with established research paradigms.

Perspectives and Theoretical Framework: Informed by both Critical Race Theory and Black Feminist Thought, this workshop highlights the innovative approach of The Collective to research, which deconstructs systemic racism and confronts gender-related barriers within society and education. The Collective's community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework not only encourages the active involvement of community members as co-researchers but also draws strength from the intersectionality embedded within Black Feminist Thought, empowering multiple layers of the community. This dual theoretical grounding allows BRC to effectively challenge dominant research narratives, promoting a shift towards methodologies that value community-derived knowledge as vital tools for civic engagement and policy transformation.

Methods, Techniques, and Modes of Inquiry: The workshop will delve into the BRC's methods such as participatory action research, co-design, and collaborative inquiry, which place community members at the heart of the research process. Participants will learn about BRC's techniques for engaging community members in the formulation of research questions, data collection, and the dissemination of findings. Through interactive exercises, participants will experience firsthand the opportunities and challenges associated with conducting community-engaged research.

Data Sources, Evidence, Objects, or Materials: Utilizing a rich tapestry of data sources, this workshop brings to life the efforts of BRC in Chicago. Real-world case studies from BRC's own work will be examined to illustrate the application and impact of these collaborative research approaches on policy advocacy and civic engagement. Alongside these, the workshop will incorporate scholarly articles, research reports, and policy documents that critique traditional research methods and champion the need for more inclusive, participatory methods.

Scholarly or Scientific Significance: This work carries considerable scholarly and scientific significance as it represents a paradigm shift in the field of research. Bridging Critical Race Theory and Black Feminist Thought with community-based participatory research methods, BRC is challenging traditional research narratives and power structures. This intersectional and inclusive approach not only broadens the understanding of what constitutes 'valid' knowledge but also pushes the boundaries of 'rigorous' methods within academia. It invites reconsideration of who is deemed a 'researcher' and disrupts the usual top-down flow of knowledge production.

Author

• Glenance Green, Black Researchers Collective