Heart-Womb Spirituality: A Phenomenological Study on Reclaiming and Reimagining Embodied Spiritualities to Heal Historical Intergenerational Trauma in Black Women
Kimberly J.
PhD Candidate
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)
Philosophy and Religion-Women’s Spirituality
I invite you to join me as I enter the last phase of my PhD journey. In this sacred space, I will share my dissertation study in progress with video updates, study findings, relevant literature, and a way that we can stay connected, inspired, and engaged as I take this final lap and leap of faith.
Intergenerational Trauma and Healing Study
What is Intergenerational Trauma?
Call For Participants
PhD Dissertation Loading…
Phase I study participation has been outstanding!
Your participation in completing the Black Women’s Historical Trauma Assessment (BWHTA) had been invaluable. Many thanks to all those who completed and shared the assessment with their communities. Over 60 people completed the assessment. Now it’s time to gear up for Phase 2, the interviews. Check out this video for what’s to come.
PhD Dissertation Proposal
Abstract Through colonialism, slavery, and capitalism, European and Euro-American men have created socioeconomic and political systems that dehumanize, traumatize, and exploit Black women's bodies.[1] Black women have been ravaged by physical, spiritual, and...
Data Collection Phase
Literature Review: Dorothy Roberts dropping gems
Please check out Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families–and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World. This is definitely going into my literature review. A prime example of a major catalyst for Black women’s historical trauma effects. The constant threat of having our children taken away from us for, in most cases, being poor and Black
Semi-structured Interview Prep
I am preparing for my first set of study interviews. I am so humbled to uncover a deeper understanding for how Black women are navigating the effects of historical trauma in their lives. I’m not sure what to expect, but I am certain that these interviews in and of itself will be healing for both myself and the participants (per my spirit guides).
First Interview Done!
I am pleased to announce that I’ve completed my first study interview! One down, 11 more to go. These discussions are sacred. I am witnessing the healing real time that occurs when Black women are able to center and affirm themselves and their narratives. In this space, it is all about them.
“Education about historical trauma leads to increased awareness about the trauma, its impact, and the grief-related affects it evokes. The process of sharing these affects with others of similar background…leads to a cathartic sense of relief.”–Return to the sacred path, Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart
Data collection
Interviews are now in full swing. I am humbled and honored to share space with some incredible women, and to facilitate these powerful discussions. I met with my dissertation chair this week to seek guidance on best practices for analyzing and transcribing the data, and how to create my study findings. To make a long story short, I found out that this process is very organic, creative, and non-linear. I’m looking forward to discovering what themes will be birthed from these discussions.
Data Analysis & Interpretation Phase
I’m back! It’s time to start transcribing
Data Prep: Part 1
Ya’ll I’m still trying to figure this shit out. Lol! This process is overwhelming! I still don’t know wtf I’m doing. Reading and trying to figure it out.
Data Prep Part 2
So, I’m feeling a little better. The book, Introduction to Intersectional Qualitative Research by Jennifer Esposito and Venus Evans-Winters has been so helpful. It really breaks down the coding process and discuss the importance of memoing. Also, they validate my feelings of being overwhelmed with starting this process.