Black women who gather: exploring Sista Circles’ interconnection with Black Feminist Thought

There is a need to promote research approaches that take Black women’s epistemology and experiences seriously. This article aims to explore the power and potential of the Sista Circle method for engaging in Black Feminist methodology using an example study. Our discussion is situated in the literature on Black Feminist Thought, Black Feminist methodology, and Sista Circle methodology as well as our positionalities. After summarizing the methods of the example study and the steps to our work in analyzing it, we discuss the impact that using a Sista Circle method had on the study: it generated an intergenerational and online community of young Black women at a historically white institution, created joy in sharing their experiences, and identified the need for strong and intentional planning in conducting Sista Circles. We conclude with recommendations for researchers using Sista Circles in online and intergenerational settings.