“Hood Resiliency”: How Girls of Color Cope and Overcome Everyday Challenges in Their School Communities

• In Event: At the Intersections: Leveraging the Strengths of Girls of Color in Schools and Communities

Abstract

Paper/ presentation summary:
Objective: This presentation is intended to serve as a platform for the voices of adolescent girls of color [AGOC] and mental health practitioners to explore the resiliency of AGOC and discuss considerations for the positive youth development of resilience in AGOC in schools and communities. AGOC were recruited to share their voices identified as young girls (aged 12 to 17) and as African American and/or Latinx. Mental health practitioners were recruited to share their voices as well, specifically their experiences working with AGOC in school-based and community mental health.
Perspective/Theoretical Framework: The framework for this presentation is the adapted Positive Youth Development (PYD) model (citation deleted for blind review). This adapted framework highlights the relationship between critical consciousness and various competencies to create a PYD model that specifically considers the growth of AGOC. This paper presentation uses interview data that focuses on the power dynamics, race, and the development of resiliency (a PYD competency) among AGOC, and also centers the voices of those who have been historically oppressed.
Methods, Techniques, or Modes of Inquiry: The authors conducted semi-structured virtual interviews (conducted with AGOC and mental health practitioners), and analyzed the data using the adapted PYD model as a framework. The interviews prompted interviewees to discuss school and community resources that promoted their resiliency; skills developed by AGOC to navigate various environments; and supports that fostered the abilities of AGOC to overcome adversity.
Data Sources, Evidence, Objects, or Materials: Data sources include semi-structured virtual interviews with AGOC and mental health practitioners, and creative art pieces submitted by AGOC to further display their resiliency.
Results/Substantiated Conclusions or Warrants for Arguments/Point of View: Results from these interviews highlight additional considerations needed to further promote resiliency in AGOC. All voices highlighted in this presentation, including the voices of the presenters, are voices of girls and women of Color speaking to the importance of resilience as a necessary competency to survive today’s world. The information collected from the interviews conducted, in combination with literature, serves to develop recommendations on how the resiliency of AGOC can be further supported in school and community environments.
Scientific or Scholarly Significance of the Study or Work: Innovation derives from a willingness to consider various perspectives and recognition that more work needs to be done to support those who are marginalized in our society. Historically, the voices of girls and women of Color have been silenced, and the research dedicated to these populations has been deficit-focused. The interviews conducted for this presentation will contribute to the literature that highlights girls of Color as more than capable as they navigate challenges unique to their identities and lived experiences. The creativity and originality of the voices shared contribute to all the great work that has been done to support the PYD of AGOC, and yield way to all that remains to be explored.

Authors

• Erika E. Clark, Howard University

• Bianca Padilla, DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services