Sighting Black Girlhood in Philadelphia, Jamaica, and South Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the deep inequities of our social systems, and protests against police killings drew broader attention to anti-Black state violence worldwide. Yet the gendered dimensions of these problems are not always fully understood. As one way to bring the issues facing Black girls globally to public attention, and to celebrate and support Black girls, Thomas will sight, site, and cite Black girlhood in Philadelphia, Jamaica, and South Africa. “Sighting Black Girlhood” will incorporate a team-taught course that includes a travel component during which students will work with community partners in Jamaica and South Africa; artistic collaborations with partners in Philadelphia, Jamaica, and South Africa; and a traveling exhibit that will also generate ongoing engaged research geared toward meaningful interventions in the lives of Black girls.