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The Power of Dialogue and Meaningful Connectedness: Conversations between Two Female Scholars

The Urban Review volume 49, pages 551–567 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

In this paper, the authors examine the power of dialogue and meaningful connectedness from their perspectives as female scholars of color. They draw from the feminist co-mentoring literature, which encourages equal balance of power among participants where each person takes on the role of teacher and learner, or mentor and mentee, since both have something significant to contribute. These contributions are rooted in critical dialogue, which places emphasis on humanizing and empowering those involved in the dialogue. Building community and fostering deeper connections and interactions among the co-mentors is also a key component of this framework. The findings revealed three major themes: (1) Developing an academic and scholarly identity; (2) Battling a sense of place and belonging, and; (3) Finding hope and regaining power and agency. This work is significant because it highlights the critical importance and value of mentoring for women of color in the academy, especially when authentic relationships are rooted in ethical care for one another. Additionally, this research further examines how relationships are created, developed, and sustained among scholars.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Leadership, Graduate School of Education and Human Development, George Washington University, One Old Oyster Point Rd., Suite 200, Newport News, VA, 23602, USA

    Christine W. Nganga

  2. Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA

    Makini Beck

Authors
  1. Christine W. Nganga
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  2. Makini Beck
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Correspondence to Christine W. Nganga.

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Nganga, C.W., Beck, M. The Power of Dialogue and Meaningful Connectedness: Conversations between Two Female Scholars. Urban Rev 49, 551–567 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-017-0408-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-017-0408-y

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