Date of Award
12-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D. in Education
First Advisor
George McClellan
Second Advisor
Kenya Bledsoe
Third Advisor
Phillis George
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Black female athletes, have a long history of fighting for visibility and inclusion. They are celebrated and hyper-visible as performers on the court yet deemed invisible in the institutional decision making that shapes their holistic development and success. This Dissertation in Practice (DiP) challenges this structural problem looking to amplify voices that have been historically silenced by systems that reduce these individuals to mere athletic capital.
Beginning with Manuscript I, this three-manuscript dissertation is built on a conceptual framework anchored in Womanist Theory, Intersectionality, and Athletic Identity, providing the necessary critical lens to investigate challenges like double jeopardy and limiting stereotypes.
To illuminate these experiences, Manuscript II outlines a Qualitative Phenomenological Study utilizing semi-structured interviews. This methodology fosters a space of psychological safety, gathering the deep, lived realities of Black female athletes, and is confirmed by consultations with institutional stakeholders to ensure the proposed solutions are grounded in practical feasibility.
Manuscript III documents my evolution as a scholar practitioner. Rooted in Servant Leadership and driven by values like Authenticity and Service, this work uses evidence to inform and incite structural change within collegiate athletics. The goal is to ensure every Black female athlete is empowered to find herself and claim ownership of her identity beyond the realm of sports.
Recommended Citation
Gamble-Rivers, Michonné Leatrice, "Beyond the Surface: Exploring the Experiences of Black Female Athletes at Power 4 Institutions" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3514.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3514