The Formation of Black Joy: Veins and Deposits

Abstract

Black women have always been present in higher education—teaching, leading, creating knowledge, and opening doors that were never meant for us. Yet, our stories are too often told through the lens of deficit, struggle, or invisibility. This chapter challenges that narrative by examining the landscape of higher education through the eyes of Black women who continue to navigate, resist, and transform the academy. It begins with a look at the broader context of higher education, tracing how systemic inequities shape institutional life. It then exposes the intersecting forces of sexism and racism that define our daily realities, naming the often-unseen labor and emotional toll that come with existing in spaces not built for us. Finally, the chapter reclaims the narrative—honoring the historical and contemporary contributions of Black women in higher education and centering our collective stories of persistence, brilliance, and joy rooted in resistance, resilience, and rest.