Pieces of Us: A Collaborative Critical Autoethnography of Black Women’s Experiences and Professional Work Cycle Within Residence Life

THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY is to examine the lived experiences of Black women in housing, especially the various stages of the work cycle of Black women in the field. This study includes Black women across multiple roles within residential life, including graduate assistants, resident directors, and associate directors. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the factors influencing Black women’s decisions to remain in or depart from the field, with a focus on the role of gendered racism in shaping these choices. The authors will also offer guidelines and discuss implications for promoting well-being within this context. The methodology employed will be collaborative autoethnography, utilizing a series of reflective questions to facilitate the processing and analysis of personal experiences.