Social Justice as Ontology: The Intersection of Black Evaluators’ Identities, Roles, and Practice

Ayesha S. Boyce, Aileen Reid, Cherie Avent, Adeyemo Adetogun, J. R. Moller, Brianna Hooks Singletary

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Violence, marginalization, oppression, exploitation, erasure, and injustice are cornerstones of the Black experience in the United States. Despite seemingly insurmountable challenges, Black people have worked diligently and competently to earn spaces within the present-day professional arena. While the experiences of Black professionals have been investigated in multiple fields, little is known about Black evaluators. This study aimed to investigate Black evaluators’ experiences in an attempt to understand the intersectionality of their identities, roles, and practice and to ensure voices and contributions of Black evaluators are highlighted. We conducted 26 interviews with Black evaluators across academic, government, nonprofit, philanthropic, and private sectors. We found race and advocate for social justice are central to Black evaluators’ identities, roles, and practice. We developed a thematic framework as a result of our analysis and interpretations of the ways in which Black evaluators’ identities impacted their perceptions of their professional role and practice.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)528-548
Number of pages21
JournalAmerican Journal of Evaluation
Volume44
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2023

Keywords

  • evaluation practice
  • evaluator role
  • identity
  • social justice

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Social Psychology
  • Health(social science)
  • Education
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Strategy and Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Social Justice as Ontology: The Intersection of Black Evaluators’ Identities, Roles, and Practice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this