4th Class Session!

In our class session, we took a deep dive into the complexities of Black identity development as part of our preparation for studying abroad in Ghana. The session began with a lecture exploring several foundational theories, including Chickering & Reisser’s Seven Vectors of Identity Development and Cross’s Nigrescence Model of Black identity formation.

We discussed Du Bois’s powerful concept of Double Consciousness—the tension of navigating life with both a Black identity and the awareness of how that identity is viewed through the lens of a dominant society. We also looked at Chestang’s ideas of Sustaining and Nurturing Environments, which helped us think critically about how different social settings can either support or challenge our identity growth.

After the lecture, students engaged in reflective work, using Cross’s Nigrescence Model to explore their own identity journeys. This exercise prompted meaningful conversations about personal growth, cultural pride, internalized messages, and the evolving understanding of self in both American and global contexts.

As we prepare to immerse ourselves in Ghanaian culture, this session laid the groundwork for approaching the experience with greater self-awareness, historical insight, and openness to transformation. Understanding our identities is not just personal—it’s also political, cultural, and deeply connected to our heritage and the global Black experience.Read more