Student Corner: Research Study – CULTURAL STARVATION

CULTURAL STARVATION: UNDERSTANDING PERCEPTIONS OF HIDDEN TRAUMA AMONG FIRST-GENERATION LEARNERS: A NARRATIVE SOULTELLING SANKOFA KAWAIDA PERSPECTIVE

Dear Potential Participant,

Thank you for your interest in possibly participating as a volunteer in CULTURAL STARVATION: EXPLORING BODY MAPPING TO UNDERSTAND PERCEPTIONS OF HIDDEN TRAUMA AMONG FIRST- GENERATION: A NARRATIVE SOUL TELLING SANKOFA KAWAIDA PERSPECTIVE

My name is Valetta Molofsky, and I am a first-generation college graduate, and a PhD Candidate in the Integrative Social Work at Saybrook University, with a focus on Community Trauma and Global Africana studies. Under the direction of my research committee chair, Dr. McKinney-McDaniels, who also works in the Social Work Department at Saybrook, I am seeking first-generation college graduates who might be interested in sharing their experiences pursuing their degrees.

The goal of this study: Is to understand the perceived experiences of cultural starvation among first-generation African Black Caribbean women graduates attending a university, specifically as they pursue upward mobility towards licensure in a mental health field.

Cultural starvation refers to educational environments that lack cultural components within core curriculum, supportive services, and engagement activities. The institutional site could have limited staffing/faculty who look like you to support your educational journey and may culturally appropriate your cultural heritage, traditions, or practices. You might find yourself assimilating into the culture of the institution due to the nature of the environment that lacks your cultural ways of knowing. Sankofa, an African concept, acknowledges the way you tell your story, while Kawaida honors your cultural identity and supports the cultural ties in the communities you live and serve.

If this confidentiality study sounds like you want to participate as a volunteer, check out the recruitment poster attached to this email and scan the QR code. As a volunteer, your valuable contribution could increase understanding of hidden trauma within African and Black communities that encounter culturally starved environments. Your involvement will include signing a consent form on Microsoft forms and doing a 40-60minute interview on Zoom with me. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. If you choose to participate, you may discontinue participation at any time.

With gratitude and respect!

Valetta Molofsky

Learn more about this study: https://forms.office.com/r/GRUBfGqjyv