Sustaining Each Other: The Importance of Black Women Mentorship in Criminology and Higher Education

• In Event: Area XII. Diversity and Inclusion - Higher Education

Abstract

Academia is often a hostile environment for Black women scholars because their credentials, expertise, contributions, and professionalism are often questioned (Collins, 2002; Shavers & Moore, 2019; Walkington, 2017). For Black women to persevere in the academy, social support through mentorship is critical (Chesney-Lind et al., 2006; Fields & Valandra, 2024; Gooden et al., 2020; Grant & Simmons, 2008; Henderson et al., 2010; Shavers & Moore, 2019). To address this phenomenon, we conducted a collaborative autoethnography (CAE) to explore our racialized and gendered experiences with social support in our sociology and criminology PhD programs. Findings from our CAE revealed four major themes: (1) defining mentorship; (2) a mentor that “looked like me”; (3) unfulfilled expectations; and (4) “a different kind of relationship.” Our findings suggest that Black women often lack culturally informed mentorship in criminology. Intersectional mentoring relationships advance diverse and empowering perspectives that transforms academia into a more inclusive place for all. We offer suggestions on helpful approaches in building successful mentoring relationships with Black women for faculty mentors who advise and support Black women graduate students. This work also has implications for departments and institutions to better recruit, retain, graduate, and promote Black women in the academy.

Authors

• Alexia Angton, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

• Elisa Descartes, Texas State University

• Michayla Mack, Mississippi State University