Black Feminist Epistemology, Research, and Praxis: Narratives in and through the Academy

251 Pages·2022·4.397 MB·English

by  hrista J. Porter, V. Thandi Sulé, Natasha N. Croom

BLACK FEMINIST EPISTEMOLOGY,
RESEARCH, AND PRAXIS
While there has been an increase of Black women faculty in higher educa-
tion institutions, the academy writ large continues to exploit, discriminate,
and uphold institutionalized gendered racism through its policies and prac-
tices. Black women have navigated, negotiated, and learned how to thrive from
their respective standpoints and epistemologies, traversing the academy in ways
that counter typical narratives of success and advancement. This edited volume
bridges together foundational and contemporary intergenerational, interdisci-
plinary voices to elucidate Black feminist epistemologies and praxis. Chapter
authors highlight relevant research, methodologies, and theoretical or concep-
tual frameworks; share experiences as doctoral students, current faculty, and
academic administrators; and ofer lessons learned and strategies to infuence
systemic and institutional change for and with Black women.
Christa J. Porter is an Associate Professor of Higher Education Administra-
tion and Student Afairs at Kent State University, USA.
V. Thandi Sulé is an Associate Professor of Higher Education at Oakland
University, USA.
Natasha N. Croom is an Associate Professor of Higher Education and Stu-
dent Afairs at Clemson University, USA.
Diverse Faculty in the Academy
Series Editor: Fred A. Bonner II
Racial Battle Fatigue in Faculty: Perspectives and Lessons from
Higher Education
Edited by Nicholas D. Hartlep and Daisy Ball
Building Mentorship Networks to Support Black Women: A Guide
to Succeeding in the Academy
Edited by Bridget Turner Kelly and Sharon L. Fries-Britt
Black Feminist Epistemology, Research, and Praxis: Narratives in
and through the Academy
Edited by Christa J. Porter, V. Thandi Sulé, and Natasha N. Croom
BLACK FEMINIST
EPISTEMOLOGY,
RESEARCH, AND PRAXIS
Narratives in and through
the Academy
Edited by Christa J. Porter,
V. Thandi Sulé,
and Natasha N. Croom
Cover image: © Getty Images
First published 2023
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Christa J. Porter, V. Thandi Sulé, and Natasha N. Croom
The right of Christa J. Porter, V. Thandi Sulé, and Natasha N. Croom to
be identifed as the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors of
their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections
77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks and are used only for identifcation and
explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this title has been requested
ISBN: 9781032026381 (hbk)
ISBN: 9781032027258 (pbk)
ISBN: 9781003184867 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003184867
Typeset in Bembo
by codeMantra
CONTENTS
List of Figures ix
List of Tables xi
Acknowledgments xiii
Series Editor’s Introduction xv
Fred A. Bonner II
Foreword: “Speak Your Names” xvii
1 Applying Black Feminist Epistemologies, Research,
and  Praxis: An Introduction 1
Christa J. Porter, V. Thandi Sulé, and Natasha N. Croom
SECTION I
Historical Overview: Situating (Counter)Stories in
the  Academy 13
2 Twenty Years Later … The Narrative for Black Women
in the Academy Remains the Same, or Does It? 15
Reitumetse O. Mabokela and Yeukai A. Mlambo
3 Reimagining Black Feminist Epistemology and
Praxis: Refecting on the Contemporary and Evolving
Conceptual Framework of One Black Faculty Woman’s
Academic Life 27
Sheila T. Gregory
vi Contents
4 Maids of Academe in Historically White Institutions:
Revisited Against the Backdrop of “Black Lives Matter” 38
Debra A. Harley
5 The Black Woman is God: Cultivating the Power of a
Disruptive Presence 51
Emerald Templeton
SECTION II
Utility of Black Feminist Epistemologies, Research,
and Praxis 57
6 What Black Cyberfeminism Teaches us about Black
Women on College Campuses 59
Shawna Patterson-Stephens and Nadrea R. Njoku
7 Uprooting the Prevalence of Misogynoir in Counselor
Education 65
Olivia T. Ngadjui
8 Intersectionality Methodology and the Black Women
Committed to “Write-Us” Resistance 71
Chayla Haynes, Saran Stewart, Evette L. Allen Moore, Nicole
M. Joseph, and Lori D. Patton
9 Advancing African Dance as a Practice of Freedom 79
Shani Collins and Truth Hunter
10 Spirit Murder: Black Women’s Realities in the Academy 85
Ebony J. Aya
11 Sista Circles with SistUH Scholars: Socializing Black
Women Doctoral Students 92
Tifany J. Davis and April L. Peters
Contents vii
SECTION III
Black Feminist Praxis Enacted: Journeying Toward
Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion 105
12 #BlackInTheIvory: Utilizing Twitter to Explore Black
Womxn’s Experiences in the Academy 107
Christina Wright Fields and Katrina M. Overby
13 Repurposing My Status as an Outsider Within: A Black
Feminist Scholar-Pracademic’s Journey to Becoming an
Invested Indiferent 115
Nicole M. West
14 Navigating a Womanist Caring Framework: Centering
Womanist Geographies within Social Foundations for
Black Academic Survival 132
Taryrn T.C. Brown and E. Nichole Murray
15 Black Feminist Thought from Theory to Practice:
“This is MY LIFE” 143
Tifany L. Steele
16 How Positionality and Intersectionality Impact Black
Women’s Faculty Teaching Narratives: Grounded Histories 149
Rhonda C. Hylton
SECTION IV
Canary in the Coal Mine: Journeying from Associate
to Academic Administrator and Full Professor 163
17 Supporting Black Womyn Associate Professors to the Full
Professorship 165
Stacey D. Garrett and Natasha N. Croom
viii Contents
18 Black Women in Academic Leadership: Refections of
One Department Chair’s Journey in Engineering 177
Meseret F. Hailu and Monica F. Cox
19 In Conversation: Engaging (with) the Narratives of Two
Black Women Full Professor Leaders 189
Christa J. Porter, V. Thandi Sulé, and Natasha N. Croom
Enact, Discard, and Transform: Black Women’s Agentic
Epistemology 199
V. Thandi Sulé
A fterword 207
Christa J. Porter, V. Thandi Sulé, and Natasha N. Croom
About the Editors 209
About the Contributors 211
Index 219
FIGURES
13.1 Facebook Post Re: Black Men/Boys 119
13.2 Tweet Re: Laying Low in Meetings 121
13.3 Facebook Post Re: Angry Black Woman 122
13.4 Tweet Re: This is My Why 123
13.5 Facebook Post Re: Clubhouse Room 124
13.6 Tweet Re: NASPA Teaching Award 126
13.7 Facebook Post Re: Contemporary Portrait Publication 126
13.8 Facebook Post Re: Springfeld Braiding Company 127
13.9 Facebook Post Re: Feelin’ the Skin I’m In 127