Navigating an Unforeseen Pathway

Abstract

This article describes a career path from a non-traditional STEM field to an impactful career in developmental science. It acknowledges the unique experiences of an African American woman growing up in a northeastern urban center at the end of World War II, during which the experiences of Blacks were still heavily impacted by policies and practices representing highly significant racial inequities requiring individual, family, and collective coping. My human development theory, phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST), provides a framing device for describing both high vulnerability situations and resilience expressions linked to particular contextual experiences including significant challenges and, as well, unexpected sources of support. Experiences had within my family of origin, civil rights activities, and diverse learning environments afforded supports, inferred mortal attacks, and unexpected opportunities. Ongoing are challenges and stress inferred to be associated with my committed positionality that acknowledges all children's humanity and particularly the persistent situations of youth and communities of color.