
![]() As I sit here reflecting on a year (at this point it’s more like 15 months) of Blackademia, I still can’t believe how much Autumn and I have accomplished in such a short time span. Just two years ago, Autumn and I used to be on the phone venting to one another about some of our frustrations with work and the issues our colleagues were dealing with. I still remember when she was like we should write a blog about this and do a podcast and talk about all of these things because they are real and I feel like we don’t dialogue about this as a community. If we do, we do it in silos, and not together.
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![]() Then I remind myself of why I started in the first place. It’s pretty early in the morning and I’m at my computer sipping on some green tea, skimming the popular higher ed sites on the latest news in my industry, and my morning routine is immediately interrupted. I see an article on the chronicle.com about enrollment management. Of course this grabs my attention. I’ve worked under the umbrella of enrollment management most of my professional career and it’s a long term goal of mine. Instead of perusing it and moving on to the next article, I take a deep dive into it. Are you an enrollment management tycoon? Mmm. Good question. Am I? ![]() About a month ago I was having a conversation with a friend about this Trump-era we live in. I remember saying that out of all that’s happening right now, the thing that might scare me most is that DeVos has been extra quiet for a minute. She paused, and then agreed. Fast forward to about a week ago when DeVos reneged on President Obama’s guidelines for sexual assault on college campuses. ![]() Academia is filled with all sorts of snakes and spiders, so when you find a writing collaborative relationship, hold onto it for dear life! This summer, we got together and wrote a paper that has been brewing since our Master’s program. The process went incredibly smoothly and will (prayerfully) result in an acceptance from an academic journal. But while await a decision, we want to share some key takeaways from our budding collaborative relationship that can help folks choose effective work partners. Here are our recommendations: ![]() This past Saturday Blackademia hosted its first Back to School Brunch & Supply Drive (photos below). With the help of members of the community, including teachers, administrators, education advocates, and local businesses, Blackademia was able to provide two DC teachers, Mr. Dorsey and Mr. Dias, with enough school supplies for their entire class for the entire year. We would like to Mom's Organic Market, Trader Joe's, Giant, and First Watch for their food donations, Chef Tauryn Carter for preparing a fabulous and delicious spread, and everyone who came out to make the event a success! ![]() At the beginning of the summer I stopped by the farmer's market on my school's campus to pick up some potted herbs for my kitchen. As an aspiring green thumb with much to learn I had lots of questions. I asked the man at the counter about the rosemary I was hoping to purchase. He told me that the most important thing was that I put it in a larger pot as soon as possible. If I didn't, he warned, "it will die because the roots will continue to grow, but they won't have enough room to allow them to flourish." I got the plant home and put it in a slightly (emphasis on slightly) larger pot on the kitchen counter. I thought the plant would be fine for the time being. Nothing.
The past few months I’ve felt like the more I learn, the less I know. I’ve become hyper aware of many things I do not know and have felt ill equipped with the tools to complete many tasks. I wasn’t prepared for the rush of engagement and readers Blackademia attracted. ![]() Hey, folks! As of late I’ve gotten quite a few questions about what podcasts I listen to and have also seen quite a few people pose the question on social media. I first became acquainted with podcasts about two years ago when I moved to Philly and discovered I could continue to stay connected with the church I attended in Atlanta by listening to the sermons via podcast. A few months after that a friend was like “you know you can listen to other stuff on that app, too, right?” Mind. Blown ![]() It is May. I am one week away from completing my first year of coursework as a doctoral student. Before you begin the applause, let me finish. I have slaved over countless papers, submitted an ungodly amount of rewrites, and have thought until I could literally feel the folds in my brain do whatever they do when you take in too much information. I have put my feelings, financial stability, and general everyday tasks on the back burner for the sake of deadlines and letters. Life has happened. Seasons have changed. And summer is coming. “Blood is blood and murder’s murder. What’s a lavender word for lynch?” Ray Durem ![]() Last week I turned in a paper in which I used the word “violence” to describe the treatment of Black girls in literacy classes. When my professor (an older, White woman) returned the paper, she had circled the word and written the following: “violence is a pretty strong term----connotes physical harm.” Now, let me say I actually really love this professor. On most occasions I appreciate her ability to give feedback that will strengthen arguments despite her own disposition about a topic; I think that takes a special kind of talent. |
Blackademia the blogTwo Black women navigating the world of academia. Read about how Tiffany & Autumn discuss (and bring levity to) issues of education (both secondary and higher) in America. . POPULAR postsBlackademia of The MonthTO MY VILLAGEtoken
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