Identity Shifting as Resilience for Black Women in STEM

Black women in STEM fields must navigate gendered racial stressors and stark underrepresentation, leading to poorer mental health outcomes. To cope with these unique stressors, Black women may cope via identity shifting, in which they modify their speech, behavior, appearance, and perspective to navigate predominantly White environments. While this adaptation can facilitate success, it also imposes psychological stress and conflicts with self-perception. Similarly, the Strong Black Woman (SBW) schema encompasses traits of emotional restraint, independence, and caretaking. While embodying the SBW schema can enhance self-esteem and adaptability, it also perpetuates stereotypes of anger and aggression. Recognizing identity shifting and the SBW schema as both survival mechanisms and sources of resilience, this chapter advocates for inclusive practices in STEM to support the well-being and success of Black women. In particular, mentorship is a crucial factor in fostering belonging and resilience, with Black women benefiting from near-peer mentoring and representation of Black women professors. Drawing lessons from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), this chapter calls for action-oriented strategies to recruit, retain, and support Black women in STEM. Overall, addressing structural issues and promoting psychological wellness are essential to ensure the success and retention of Black women in STEM fields.