In part one of “Being Spirit”, we introduced various contemporary connotations of “spirit” and clarified that within the context of this article, “spirit” is framed as a knowable, incorporeal, sentient, intelligent, divine energy essence from which everything of the visible and invisible realms evolves and through which everything is connected. […]
Introduction I am a black woman born on African soil in the heart of Soweto during the peak of apartheid shortly before the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. My birth in 1982 occurred within a historical moment marked by intense violence, political struggle, social upheaval, and collective yearning for […]
Women’s colleges often position themselves as spaces for empowerment and critical inquiry. That mission requires going beyond the limits of traditional Western frameworks.
Living within a society that denies their beauty, power, and existence, Black women can find that recognizing their own joy is an act of resistance. However, Black joy and the African spirit are survival practices perfected under slavery. Throughout generations, Black joy has persisted through both covert and overt acts […]
As we think about our individual research houses, we must also consider how we can support each other. As interdisciplinary scholars, our work is reflective of the inclusion of many schools of thought. As practitioners, we should bridge that spirit of inclusion to our collaborations much like our opening song renders.
Love is not a far cry from tangible delight. The tapestry of human life contains ever-rich patterns, shape formations, and constellations reflecting the motif of human connectedness. We see semblances of it in cinema and visual art, we feel its vibration in the tones and symphonies of instruments, we hear […]
As I sit here at the close of 2025, wrapped in the energy of the winter solstice—that sacred moment when darkness yields to returning light—I find myself thinking about the challenges Black women have faced this year. Recent data shows our unemployment rate increased from 6.7% to 7.5% between August […]
It is that time of year again, when the ground gets cold, leaves get crunchy, and the aroma of sweet potato pie wafts throughout every room in Grandma’s house. Despite often experiencing significant inequality in everyday life (Bonilla-Silva, 2021), for many Black families, the holidays are frequently characterized by […]
One of the foundational myths of ancient Kemet (otherwise known as Egypt) features Ausar (otherwise known as Osiris) and his brother, Set. Ausar is a divine king who presides over Kemet with wisdom and righteousness. However, his younger brother Set grows envious of his position. Thus, he and his henchmen […]
For many Black communities, the holiday season carries layered meanings. While often framed as a time of joy and togetherness, it can also heighten grief, stress, and emotional fatigue, particularly for those navigating systemic inequities that persist year-round. African-centered traditions, however, offer culturally rooted pathways to psychological healing and resilience. […]
