Thriving Despite the Odds

Abstract

Black women endure intersectional oppression from racism and sexism, but research suggests they are often erased from conversations centering on racism and sexism due to their proximity to White women and Black men. The erasure of Black women translates into the college environment and at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs). In the classroom, Black women have reported feeling inferior due to the minimization of their knowledge and expertise, gender and racial stereotypes, and microaggressions. Black women have also reported hypervisibility and hyperinvisibility resulting from being one of few Black students in their courses. Beyond the classroom, many Black women feel out of place due to the lack of Black students and staff, the lack of race and gender-affirming campus-related activities, and disproportionate resources. It is critical to consider the factors that assist Black female students in thriving in higher education. This chapter informs higher education stakeholders who can address the obstacles Black female students navigate at PWIs to promote thriving.