The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the impact of institutional context on Black first-generation college women's identity development. We examined their experiences along the lines of their minoritized race, gender, and first-generation student status using intersectionality theory. Six Black, first-generation college women participated in this study. The findings revealed (a) participants struggled with constant identity negotiation, particularly related to their potential for academic success as first-generation students; (b) all participants reported experiencing and seeing discrimination that culminated in feelings of institutional betrayal; and (c) despite negative experiences and encounters, each of the women in this study identified support mechanisms and counterspaces for developing healthy coping strategies with balancing their identity development in predominantly White campus environments.

This chapter discusses trends in activism among students and educators and the leadership concepts inherent in working for social change.

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In this Black Feminist qualitative study, we used sista circle methodology and Black feminist thought (BFT) to explore Black college women's experiences, socialization, and messages on skin complexion. We further examined the impact of these messages on Black college women's campus experience. Eight, self-identified, Black college women participated in this study. The individual and collective experiences of these eight sistas revealed: (a) Black college women receive messages about complexion and colorism from family and media; (b) the salience of colorism shifts depending upon Black women's educational status and identity development; and (c) acts of resistance against colorism vary from choosing to be silent, engaging in conversations, and even to committing to research on issues facing Black women. Campus practitioners should consider offering programs and resources inclusive of nuanced experiences of Black college women to avoid reaffirming colorism. Researchers should consider exploring (with)in-group privileges afforded to Black women based upon their complexion to better understand how colorism impacts (post)college success.

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