Uplifting Black Queer Youth Voices and Dreams in Education Safety Discourses

LaShanda Harbin

The safety of Black queer youth within and beyond K-12 educational spaces is affected by various factors, ranging from systemic racism to dynamics within Black communities. This qualitative multimethod study centers Black queer youth voices to learn about the complex dynamics that affect safety for Black queer students, with a particular focus on K-12 school experiences. Data collection in this study consists of two strands, or parts. In Strand 1, I interview self-identified Black queer and transgender young adults to learn about their safety experiences in Black communities and within educational systems. In Strand 2, a small group of participants collaborate in a series of six workshops that center Robin D.G. Kelley's concept of freedom dreaming. These workshops are designed to focus particularly on the dreams these participants have for safer educational systems for all Black queer and transgender youth. By the end of the workshops, participants will have created a guide for educational stakeholders to learn about Black queer youths' safety needs, their dreams, and ways to make those dreams come true through policy. This study contextually and theoretically centers Blackness in ways that are not always present in research about Black queer students. Education researchers and other stakeholders will better understand how Black queer youths' lived experiences within Black communities can inform education policy, which may help them imagine innovative solutions to better protect Black queer youth in schools.

About LaShanda Harbin

LaShanda Harbin is a PhD candidate in Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, LaShanda has spent the last decade working in various K-12 educational contexts. Her independent research focuses on improving educational safety for Black queer and transgender youth. Beyond her independent research, LaShanda enjoys youth-centered applied research and evaluation. She is also very committed to mentoring and empowering youth as they work to address educational and social issues that matter most to them. Across all aspects of her work, LaShanda is committed to uplifting the voices of multiply marginalized communities. Before coming to the University of Wisconsin - Madison, LaShanda earned a master's degree in Urban Education Policy from Brown University and a bachelor's degree in Africana Studies (African American Studies concentration) and Education from Bowdoin College.