ABSTRACT
The space occupied by African scholars and intellectuals in the North American academe is marginal. This marginality is largely due to the small number of Black racial people and the minimal representation of Africans in predominantly White institutions. In addition to marginality, Black women also experience invisibility due to the absence of racial and gendered intersectionality at these institutions. Furthermore, studies showed that women of color were disadvantaged because of the need to balance “whiteness,” diversity, and feminism in negotiating their ways in predominantly White institutions. However, some Black women had managed to thrive under these circumstances. This chapter is an ethno-narrative, which describes my unique unplanned journey in academia and my experiences within a predominantly White institution from a position of marginality, isolation, and invisibility. My ethno-narrative includes how I managed to carve out a niche in providing support service for Indigenous and minority students and how my role as a university administrator contributes to diversity both on campus and the wider community. My story, while one of many successes, highlights some of the unique contributions of Black women in the academe.
