In this article, four Black woman scholars explore their experiences in academia through the shared event of a writing retreat. This piece follows the rich storytelling history of Black women scholars who have carved out spaces where they can tell their truths. This work pairs narrative inquiry and autoethnography to address the question: How do Black women faculty create and navigate spaces to promote their success within academia?
Using ethnographic methods, the author studies her experiences as a child, teacher and a scholar through the lens of critical literacy. In doing so, she confronts challenges that students, families, and teachers face in the spaces where their worlds overlap. The author explores the implications of her experiences as it relates to teaching and learning, family literacy, and the current political climate.
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