Homegirls
The homegirls are trained in methodologies of Black girlhood and create spaces Black girls and beyond recognize as their own. They practice being well so that they can give their time, talent, and attention to the work of SOLHOT. They are the primary organizers of all SOLHOT sites and sessions.
D R . B R O W N
Dr. Ruth Nicole Brown founded SOLHOT when she first suggested the idea to a radical group of courageous and beautiful women and girls in Spring 2006. Now referred to as the SOLHOT “visionary,” she is also a dynamic writer, researcher, performer, mentor and master teacher. Currently, an assistant professor in the Gender and Women’s Studies and Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership Departments at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Brown research interests include Black girlhood, visionary organizing, youth cultures, performance, qualitative methodology, and social justice. Her first book, Black Girlhood Celebration Toward A Hip Hop Feminist Pedagogy (2009) was published by Peter Lang and details the political and personal motivations for organizing SOLHOT.
Dr. Ruth Nicole Brown founded SOLHOT when she first suggested the idea to a radical group of courageous and beautiful women and girls in Spring 2006. Now referred to as the SOLHOT “visionary,” she is also a dynamic writer, researcher, performer, mentor and master teacher. Currently, an assistant professor in the Gender and Women’s Studies and Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership Departments at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Brown research interests include Black girlhood, visionary organizing, youth cultures, performance, qualitative methodology, and social justice. Her first book, Black Girlhood Celebration Toward A Hip Hop Feminist Pedagogy (2009) was published by Peter Lang and details the political and personal motivations for organizing SOLHOT.
D E S I R E E
Desiree (Dee) McMillion, Ed.M. is a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership. Her research interest include, Black mother-daughter relationships, performance, and community based education.
Desiree (Dee) McMillion, Ed.M. is a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership. Her research interest include, Black mother-daughter relationships, performance, and community based education.
C A N D Y
Claudine “Candy” Taaffe is a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership. Her research interests include visual methodology, youth organizing, and African American girlhood. Her dissertation is a two year-long visual ethnography of middle-school aged African American girls, who use photography to speak back to the deficit-fueled images of them in schools & popular culture.
Claudine “Candy” Taaffe is a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership. Her research interests include visual methodology, youth organizing, and African American girlhood. Her dissertation is a two year-long visual ethnography of middle-school aged African American girls, who use photography to speak back to the deficit-fueled images of them in schools & popular culture.
D R . C H A M A R A
Chamara Jewel Kwakye is a daughter, writer, storylistener, storyteller, autoethnographer, performer and holds a doctorate in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Her research interests include life histories of Black women and historic and contemporary educational policy.
Chamara Jewel Kwakye is a daughter, writer, storylistener, storyteller, autoethnographer, performer and holds a doctorate in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Her research interests include life histories of Black women and historic and contemporary educational policy.
Q U E E N J E S S I C A
Jessica L. Robinson is a lover and fighter from the Midwest. Her current research interests include cultural politics, reproductive justice, girls’ studies, and community organizing. She has worked as a reproductive justice community worker and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign.
Jessica L. Robinson is a lover and fighter from the Midwest. Her current research interests include cultural politics, reproductive justice, girls’ studies, and community organizing. She has worked as a reproductive justice community worker and is currently a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign.
P O R S H E
Porshe R. Garner is living her dreams as a scholar, mentor, daughter, and adviser. Once, she only dreamed of spaces that provided a place for girls to just be. Now that space has been made reality through SOLHOT. Currently, she is a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. Porshe's research interests include Black girlhood, hip-hop pedagogy, hip-hop culture, classroom practices, and ritual performance. While she is no Beyonce, Porshe enjoys singing, dancing, and performing.
Porshe R. Garner is living her dreams as a scholar, mentor, daughter, and adviser. Once, she only dreamed of spaces that provided a place for girls to just be. Now that space has been made reality through SOLHOT. Currently, she is a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership. Porshe's research interests include Black girlhood, hip-hop pedagogy, hip-hop culture, classroom practices, and ritual performance. While she is no Beyonce, Porshe enjoys singing, dancing, and performing.
S H E R I
Sheri K. Lewis is a native of Chicago's Southside and is pursuing her doctoral degree in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her dissertation will focus on Black girlhood as practiced in Saving Our Lives Hear Our Truths (SOLHOT). She has lobbied in Washington, D.C. for reproductive rights. She is passionate about Black girlhood, reproductive justice, and pedagogies of love.
Sheri K. Lewis is a native of Chicago's Southside and is pursuing her doctoral degree in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her dissertation will focus on Black girlhood as practiced in Saving Our Lives Hear Our Truths (SOLHOT). She has lobbied in Washington, D.C. for reproductive rights. She is passionate about Black girlhood, reproductive justice, and pedagogies of love.
S E S A L I
Sesali Bowen is a writer, trainer, and advocate for Black girls everywhere. A Chicago native, she has combined her first hand experience as an "around the way girl" with a Black feminist, reproductive justice framework to inform, share, and build knowledge about Black girls. She is currently finishing her bachelor's in Women's and Gender studies at DePaul University and facilitating a Black girl-centered program at a school on Chicago's South-side, where she currently resides.
Sesali Bowen is a writer, trainer, and advocate for Black girls everywhere. A Chicago native, she has combined her first hand experience as an "around the way girl" with a Black feminist, reproductive justice framework to inform, share, and build knowledge about Black girls. She is currently finishing her bachelor's in Women's and Gender studies at DePaul University and facilitating a Black girl-centered program at a school on Chicago's South-side, where she currently resides.
