Kenesma D. John, Ph.D.
Underground Railroad Project Coordinator
African American Studies Department
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
University of Florida
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Browse my academic work dedicated to amplifying voices and experiences that matter.
Publications
Troutman, A., Brown, T. T., De La Cruz, S., Oladejo, O. A., & John, K. D. (2026). Radical reimaginings: Black girlhood, feminist praxis, and arts-based inquiry in a university–school collaboration[Special issue]. Frontiers.
This paper examines how culturally affirming literature can support Black students’ academic engagement in schools shaped by dominant Eurocentric narratives. It argues that centering Black literary traditions, creates opportunities for affirmation while disrupting deficit-based views of Black students.
This video highlights how they define themselves, build community, and explore identity, mental health, and liberation through storytelling and creative expression. It reframes feminist research by positioning the girls as co-researchers and cultural producers, resisting deficit narratives and centering their lived experiences and visions for the future.
This qualitative case study delved into the realm of hair identity, focusing on Black girls. The study aimed to unravel the complexities surrounding hair identity, highlighting how it impacts these individuals’ educational experiences and self-esteem of these individuals.
This study delves into the intricate relationship between the symbolic representation of skin color in virtual avatars and its profound impact on people's self-value within American society.