Academics for Black Survival and Wellness: A Grassroots Intervention for Black Liberation and Anti-Racism Inside and Outside of Academia

Abstract

This article provides a summative program evaluation to describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of a grassroots Black liberation and anti-racism initiative, Academics for Black Survival and Wellness. The initiative was founded by Dr. Pearis Jean (formerly Bellamy; graduate student at the time) and Dr. Della V. Mosley (an assistant professor at the time) in response to the events of 2020. The authors used a general inductive approach to analyze archival data from the initiative to identify the program outcomes. Academics for Black Survival and Wellness had two primary program outcomes which were (a) increased wellness resources for Black academics and (b) the use of scholar-activism in support of Black survival and wellness. The authors also reflect on how the organizers maintained the integrity and priorities of the initiative. Recommendations are provided for how grassroots organizing and scholar-activism can be used to support the wellness of Black people and the mobilization of anti-racist allies when oppressive systems are slow or unwilling to change.