Congratulations to Sheri Delena Warren who on Friday, March 22, 2024, successfully defended her dissertation. The title of Sheri’s dissertation is A CRITICAL QUALITATIVE STUDY OF INTERSECTIONALITY AND IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT OF 1.5 AND SECOND-GENERATION IMMIGRANT BLACK WEST AFRICAN MUSLIM FEMALES.
The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to describe the identity development of Black West African Muslim adolescent females. Drawing upon interparticipants’ theory, this research sought to understand how various dimensions of identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, and religion, converged to construct the participants sense of self.
This study is significant because there is a dearth of literature on Black West African Muslim adolescent females even though the number of African immigrants in the United States in increasing. The intersection of their ethnicities and religion is rarely considered as a factor that significantly impacts their experiences.
The research question addressed was: What are the lived experiences of 1.5 and second-generation Black West African Muslim adolescent females as they develop their identities in the United States? The findings of the study revealed three themes that captured the lived experiences of the participants. They expressed that their adultification was restrictive, muted their individuality and was often the source of duress. Additionally, they conveyed a sense of invisibility and isolation in the school and peer worlds as a result of racism, sexism, xenophobia and Islamophobia. Finally, the participants employed acts resistance as a form of self-actualization. The study provides recommendations for practice for school recruitment officers, educators, social service workers, mental health practitioners and religious institutions.
Congratulations Sheri.
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Dr. Susan Iverson
DISSERTATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Dr. Samantha White
Dr. Angela Adamu
