Presenter: Kyla-Journey Womack

Faculty Sponsor: Felicia Diana Griffin-Fennell

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Sociology and Anthropology

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, 163, C7

ABSTRACT

Black, first-generation female students deserve to feel heard and seen on their campuses.  Word to Us, a student-created and student-centered podcast, discusses many “uncomfortable” or “taboo” topics that Black households often don’t discuss — going to therapy, setting boundaries with family members, and dismantling harmful stereotypes. These topics all contribute to the "Black" experience and are intertwined with one another across generations, gender and perspectives. This podcast serves as a dialogue either between multiple people or one that I’m having with myself.  The purpose of this project is to give Black, first-generation female students — and other students in marginalized groups or similar experiences — a place to feel heard and understood. Understanding that Black women are the least represented and respected in many fields serves as the inspiration for my project. My goal is to create a safe space and community of conversations about the normally unspoken things. By the end of this academic year, I believe that listeners will develop an understanding that Black, first-generation female students look at things through a specific lens and all of their experiences are valid. Life in college is a snapshot of what you could experience in post-grad — finding a work-life balance, navigating new relationships, and adult responsibilities — and Word to Us will lay some of the groundwork that young adults can use to feel less alone as they navigate life.