Our names are Nisaa Kirtman and Ayesha Boyce. We are both Black women, mothers, daughters, mentors/mentees, researchers/evaluators. A unifying truth to our many selves and identities teaches us that we are social creatures, at our best when we can learn from (and lean on) others. The past few years have painfully taught us the power of grief which has been exacerbated by the loss of generational wisdom. The upcoming AEA 2023 conference theme deeply resonates with us. The concept of using narrative and oral history as a research method is not new – Black Americans, and other groups, had oral history before written history. Our laws and customs were passed on by musicians, poets, and folk historians through words and songs. For the Grios of Gambia, men and women kept history alive in their minds to pass on to the next generation. In 1976, Alex Haley stated, “…when a Griot dies, it is as if a library has burned to the ground. The Grios symbolize how all human ancestry goes back to some place…and time, where there was no writing.” In our post we reflect on the importance of generational wisdom, which provides us with guidance, perspective, authenticity, and connection. This holds just as true in our professional lives as in our personal ones. Storytelling also plays an important role within evaluation, providing nuance to findings, and anchoring relationships for those with a vested interest. The 2023 conference theme urges evaluators to reflect upon our field as fuel for stories, and stories as fuel for evaluation. We invite you to consider the importance of stories and storytelling as we reflect upon generational wisdom shared with each of us. Boyce shares a story of her mentor Stafford Hood (1952-2023); Kirtman shares a story of her father Nathaniel Kirtman (1947-2022).
Authenticity and vulnerability are fodder for powerful stories
I continue to reflect on the personal and professional knowledge Dr. Hood has imparted to me, and I appreciate multiple opportunities to share my ruminations. One of the things I miss most about our interactions is his stories. I knew that no matter how much time had passed – whether it had been a few weeks or a few months – there was going to be a new story. Dr. Hood had a unique skill of being able to authentically and respectfully weave authentic pieces of himself into stories. I remember being in class as a PhD student in Illinois, sitting on the edge of my seat in Dr. Hood’s class about a disagreement between he and a client. Dr. Hood explained the importance of his Nobody Knows My Name project ahead of the CREA conference. I remember discussing my dossier for promotion and tenure, and feeling enlightened as he explained areas I needed to improve through recounted stories about service, research, and teaching. Most recently, I remember discussing what is next for me in my career as he mused about his own time at ASU. I have attempted to emulate Dr. Hood’s authentic and vulnerable storytelling methods within my own evaluation practice and mentorship. I recently spoke with a client about the different types of racism – civilizational, individual, epistemological – and talked about how each has impacted me. While chatting with colleagues about culturally responsive evaluation I have remained steadfast in my commitment to stop myself from hiding my grief or pushing it out of sight. What else can we learn from generational wisdom passed down through stories about authenticity and vulnerability in our positionalities and practice?
Part II of our post includes reflections from Nisaa on preserving legacies through storytelling.
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