Miscellaneous
Jazzmine Olivia interviews Dr. Tiffany Reed in this 3-part discussion of how do we show up, heal, and thrive in spaces as Black women. Originally from Gary, Indiana, Dr. Tiffany Reed began her journey in student affairs at Indiana University Purdue University (IUPUI), receiving her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2010 and later receiving her Master of Arts in Higher Education at Rowan University. This spring Dr. Reed will receive her Doctorate in Higher Education and Leadership from Maryville University. Tiffany has over 10 years of experience within student affairs, whether residential life, student activities, scholar and mentorship programs, diversity and inclusion, and student leadership, she strives to create an inclusive collegiate experience for all students. Spilling the TEA: Black Identity in sister circles at PWIs(Research Abstract) Sister circles have become a strategy for identity growth space for Black/ African American women. Black woman face numerous issues on college campuses and in society, there is lack of formal safe spaces for them to unpack and manage the weight of microaggressions and campus climate concerns at predominately White institutions (Croom, Beatty, Acker, & Butler, 2017; Porter & Dean, 2015; Winkle-Wagner, 2010). Using a qualitative research design, Black feminist thought (Collins, 2000), and Black Racial Identity development (Cross, 1978) for the theoretical framework, this study examined the experience of 14 collegiate Black women and their racial development within a sister circle program. The sister circle program, Sister T.E.A., at Nichole University, a predominately White private institution in the Midwest, was selected for the research site. Using thematic analysis, the researcher identified three themes: sense of belonging, Black girl magic/ mountain, and sisterhood space.