"To Be Their Best Self": Exploring Black Women Collegians' Identities Through Self-Definition and Visual Methods

• In Event: College Student Well-Being, Socialization, and Identity

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of Black women at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) through the lens of Black Feminist Thought and bell hooks. It addresses the harmful myth of the "new model minority" and highlights how Black women's intersecting identities of race and gender shape their college experiences (Collins, 2000; hooks, 2001). Utilizing qualitative methods, including focus group interviews and visual elicitation, the research emphasizes the importance of identity-affirming programs. The findings reveal that programs like the Soaring Sisters Association (SSA) significantly influence personal growth, community building, and future aspirations. This work fills a critical gap in understanding the nuanced experiences of Black women in higher education and underscores the need for supportive campus environments and affinity programming.

Authors

• LaShawn Faith Washington, University of Texas at Austin

• Rodney T. Bates, University of Oklahoma