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Magic Behind the Lens: A Photovoice Project Exploring Black Girlhood Post-2020 (Poster 47)

Fri, April 25, 3:20 to 4:50pm MDT (3:20 to 4:50pm MDT), The Colorado Convention Center, Floor: Exhibit Hall Level, Exhibit Hall F - Poster Session

Abstract

This research project gave attention to Black adolescent girls who reside in public housing, and
poses the following research questions: How and in what ways do Black adolescent girls define their lives in a post-2020 society? And how might co-researchers use Photovoice to mobilize action for Black Girls and community well-being? Photovoice is used as a research engagement tool with a double aim: (1) to explore and interrogate the school and home community, and (2) to learn how to advocate for the community’s collective needs. The photovoice methodology allowed our adolescent Black girls to talk back to stakeholders, while having the power to tell their own stories. For so long, Black girls were forced to be the subject of photography but with this project we made sure to empower them by letting them tell and capture their own stories.

The findings from this 18-month study revealed that Black girls need to be supported, nurtured, believed, and protected. Through the process of coding our co-researcher’s photo narration, we found that through all the hardships Black girl’s are still able to define their joy. Black girl’s love STEM, reading, nature, and so many other unique things; they just need the same platform and opportunities to express their interests like those of varying identities. Black girls are brilliant and creative, but stakeholders must take a more active role to help them reach their full potential.

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