Services for Educators

Studying the School Discipline Experiences of Black Girls in Atlanta

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The Safety, Dignity, and Belonging project is a legal youth participatory action research project co-led by four youth researchers and an adult researcher studying the school discipline experiences of Black girls in Atlanta-area schools.

The rest of this webpage is written entirely in our voice because we want to inspire other girls of color to see how they can change systems in their own community!  

In schools across the United States, racial and gender biases compound to influence school discipline policies and practices, leaving Black girls disproportionately punished. Nationally, Black girls are consistently the most over-disciplined compared to girls of all racial groups. 

Because we live in Atlanta, our voices are unique and important to the overall school cultures and climates we live in. Our culture and history are what make us who we are, we won’t back down from being unapologetically us. Often, we are mischaracterized as “trying to act grown” or “doing too much.” That is not who we are. We are diverse, unique individuals that want the agency to express ourselves without ridicule.  

The educational experiences of girls of color in the South are uniquely informed by racial and gender biases riddled with both historic and cultural nuance. Girls of color are often mischaracterized as deviant, unladylike, too adult, loud, or simply “too much” and penalized for cultural and self-expression.

Special thank you to Cool Girls for its partnership in this work.


Meet the Researchers

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Betzayda

I aspire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children, and I’m considering career paths as a pediatric nurse, an elementary school teacher, or a child life specialist. In my free time, I love immersing myself in music and reading romantic comedies, which provide a delightful escape from the world around me. I also enjoy engaging in social media, where I connect with others and find entertainment. Additionally, I recognize the value of rest, which fuels my love for naps as a way to recharge. I am genuinely excited about my future and the chance to make a positive impact on the next generation, believing that every small effort can create a ripple of change in their lives.

Eden

I have always been passionate about social justice and environmental issues, especially climate change. After high school, I plan to attend college in environmental science with an emphasis on marine biology I also enjoy learning about marketing. Outside of school, I take modern dance classes and aerial dance classes, and I am a member of various organizations, including Bioneers, Cool Girls, and Girls Inc. I am also a Junior Conservationist in the Beginner Environmental Leadership Program at the Georgia Aquarium.

Natiyya

A few hobbies that I have are doing nails and lashes. I love speaking my mind. I also like clothing and shopping. I want to go to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) for fashion design.

Nickell

I love watching movies and talking about issues that affect the youth. I aspire to become a journalist.


Here’s What We Are Up to! 

Here’s where we are in the project. Together, we… 

  • Explored issues of gender, race, bias, adultification, school pushout, restorative justice, and civil rights in education through engaging workshops;
  • Received training from IDRA on qualitative research methods like getting our classmates to sign up for a focus group! 
  • Identified an issue and constructed a research question; 
  • Will implement research methods of our choosing, create findings, and make recommendations to be published in a report; and
  • Will lead presentations about our research.

Related Research You Should Check Out 

Examples of participatory action research or similar methods that focus on the experiences of Black girls and girls of color in schools include the following.


Our Lead Researcher & Facilitator 

Makiah Lyons, J.D., is an Equal Justice Works fellow hosted by IDRA, working to implement a fellowship project centering Black girls and their intersectional experiences with school discipline and pushout in the Atlanta area. As a part of her fellowship, Makiah is crafting this youth participatory action research project developed with and co-led by Black girls.

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