“It’s Ours, It’s Us”: Understanding Counter-Spaces for Black and Spiritual Students Attending Predominantly White Institutions

• In Event: Voices of Resistance and Resilience: Amplifying Equity and Empowerment for Students of Color in Higher Education

Abstract

The intersection of students’ racialized and spiritual identities has been under-studied in higher education. Semi-structured interviews and visual data from 13 Black and spiritual students attending predominantly white institutions (PWIs) provided insight into counterspaces utilized by Black and spiritual students. When viewed through the lens of Critical Race Theory (Solórzano & Yosso, 2002) and the Four Pillars of Policy and Practice (Nielsen & Small, 2019), findings indicate that some Black and spiritual students utilize existing spaces, while others intentionally create their own counterspaces; regardless, these spaces provide Black and spiritual students refuge and support while attending PWIs. Implications for research and practice are provided to higher education professionals seeking to support Black and spiritual students’ successful matriculation, retention, and completion.

Author

• Terra N Hall, Pepperdine University