Black Girls' Joy and Wellbeing in Education

• In Event: But What About the Children? Black Education in America

Abstract

Black girls across the U.S. face significant institutional barriers to educational success, including increased risk of disciplinary measures like suspension or expulsion due to embedded racism in legal and social structures. Systemic racism manifests in punishment based on attire or hair, narrow and culturally biased evaluation standards, lack of consideration for students’ external lives, and adultification bias, which places unrealistic expectations on Black girls to behave as adults. In response, many girls seek alternative schools or external resources for emotional and intellectual support.

Amidst legislation that perpetuates racial segregation, underfunding, leadership overload, censorship, and an overemphasis standardized testing, this research explores Black girls experiences and joy in educational contexts. Guided by the research question, “How do environmental factors shape joyful experiences for Black girls?” we amplify the voices, criticisms, desires and dreams of Black girls in Florida’s conventional, non-traditional and informal schooling spaces. Through Youth Participatory Action Research, participants ages 11-18 engage as co-researchers and problem-solvers through interviews, vision boards, focus groups, and other creative qualitative methodologies. Our objective is to challenge schools and educational policymakers to cultivate positive spaces that foster learning and growth for all students. Our preliminary findings center students’ experiences in traditional and alternative schools, emphasizing the role of joy in success. By encouraging critical reflection on girls’ learning and schooling experiences, this research aims to contribute to scholarship on the interaction of gender, race, age and other factors in shaping Black girls’ education, success and joy.

Author

• Sophia De La Cruz