For Black Girls, By Black Girls: Examining the Experiences of Black Women in Historically White Learning Spaces and Reimagining Spaces With Our Needs in Mind

This study examined the experiences of Black women in historically white learning spaces and our needs in reimaged learning spaces developed for us. The conceptual framework for this study was Black Feminist Thought, critical geography, and Afrofuturism. Using sister circle methodology, participants discussed the simultaneous racialized and gendered experiences that Black women navigate in learning spaces and how technology and Afrofuturism could be beneficial in creating spaces for Black women. Despite our achievements in academic spaces, Black women experience microaggressive environments that have traumatic impacts on our psychological health and our overall experiences in learning environments. Our successes are acts of resistance that are often overlooked and ignored. Three findings were identified in this study: 1. Black women’s experiences in learning spaces continue to be defined by controlling images. 2. Community support is critical in helping Black women navigate the challenges of predominantly white learning spaces. 3. Technology through virtual sister circles are spaces for Black women with our needs in mind and not limited by geography. Learning spaces designed for Black women afford the space to tell our own stories from racialized and gendered experiences. Essentially, Black women need support from allies to aid in making learning spaces more inclusive and safer of our learning needs