Black Girlhood Studies provide an authentic vantage point for the narratives and experiences of young Black girls today. Black women working alongside Black girls play a central role in the development of the field, yet their narratives and experiences as former Black girls remain decentered. Using autoethnography, we describe the experiences of seven community-engaged Black women scholars, including one professor who teaches Black Girlhood Studies courses and is the co-creator of a virtual space for middle school Black girls called Black Girl Magic (BGM), and six undergraduate students who are enrolled in the course and/or serve as BGM co-facilitators. We discuss how teaching, learning, and practicing Black Girlhood Studies shapes a collective rememorying process for Black women seeking to make their girlhood experiences legible.
Ashley Smith-Purviance (ORCID:
Student authors attend(ed) Providence College.
Sara Jackson majored in English and Women's and Gender studies and minored in Public and Community Service. Email: sjackso8@friars.providence.edu
Brianna Harper is currently a public health graduate student at Emory University. Email: bharper1@friars.providence.edu
Jennifer Merandisse is a junior Psychology major. Email: jmerandi@friars.providence.edu
Brittney Smith is a senior Marketing major and Black Studies minor. Email: bsmith30@friars.providence.edu
Kim Hussey is a junior accounting major. Email: khussey@friars.providence.edu
Eliana Lopez majored in Creative Writing. Email: elopez4@friars.providence.edu