“I’ll still continue to rise:” Black women’s experiences in academia

Black women faculty in Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) experience many challenges related to their gendered and racial identities, the culmination of which often results in feelings of isolation, emotional labor, and increased stress. This study explored the experiences of three early career Black women faculty navigating those challenges. Data revealed that participants faced issues of fighting the “angry Black woman” stereotype, feelings of exhaustion, and navigating the layers of their identities. Data also revealed that the participants responded to those challenges in ways that helped them celebrate their racial identities, enacting agency within the context of a predominantly white institution. In this article, we use a Black feminist framework to share these women’s experiences and provide insights into strategies universities can use to foster more inclusive and supportive environments for Black women.