Centering Women of Color in Academic Counterspaces offers a rich critical race feminist analysis of teaching, learning, and classroom dynamics among diverse students in a classroom counterspace centered on women of color. Annemarie Vaccaro and Melissa J. Camba-Kelsay focus on an undergraduate course called Sister Stories, which used counter-storytelling to explore the historical and contemporary experiences of women of color in the United States. Rich student narratives offer insight into the process and products of transformational learning about complex social justice topics such as: oppression, microaggressions, identity, intersectionality, tokenism, objectification, inclusive leadership, aesthetic standards, and diversity dialogues.

Centering Women of Color in Academic Counterspaces gives us what we have craved in academe — the voices, thoughts, and perspectives — of women students of color — ’sisters” — as they make their way through the college curriculum and college itself, finding a unique place to call home. -- Marybeth Gasman, University of Pennsylvania
Vaccaro and Camba-Kelsay highlight the often-silenced voices of women of color on predominantly white campuses through the exploration of their Sister Stories course, a unique class that provides a safe and inviting space for women of color. This work is a wonderful example of professor-led, university classroom-based research that provides tangible solutions to help empower women of color on university campuses. -- Jessica DeCuir-Gunby, North Carolina State University
This engaging, well-researched book analyzes the creation of classrooms and curricula that place women of color at the center of teaching and learning, where students at the intersection of marginalized identities can expose and explore the micro-aggressions they navigate in race-neutral/gender-neutral environments. This book illustrates the power of such spaces to support self-awareness, critical consciousness, and enhanced learning not only for women students of color but also for their peers whose experience of being decentered is equally transformative. This book is a timely and welcome contribution. -- Lee Anne Bell, Barnard College

Annemarie Vaccaro is faculty member in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and College Student Personnel Program at the University of Rhode Island.


Melissa J. Camba-Kelsay is coordinator for student leadership and instructor in the minor in Leadership Studies in the Center for Student Leadership Development at the University of Rhode Island.