Team Members
- Kathi Elliott, DNP, MSW, CRNP
- Sara Goodkind, PhD, MSW
- Britney Brinkman, PhD
Research Project Description
In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Black girls are 11 times more likely than White girls to be referred to the juvenile court, while nationally, Black girls are referred three times as often. The proposed research will evaluate an empowerment-based program for Black girls designed to challenge negative perceptions, prevent violence, and improve their health via advocacy, restorative practices, and participatory research. This research aims to address the following questions via a mixed-methods, longitudinal and participatory approach: 1) Can an empowerment-focused intervention prevent violence and improve Black girls’ health?; 2) Can this empowerment-focused intervention shift adults’ and girls’ narratives about Black girls? There is growing national awareness of the challenges faced by Black girls and now is an opportune time to document and disseminate evidence-based models that address these inequities.
Team Members
Kathi Elliott, DNP, MSW, CRNP
Kathi Elliott is the Executive Director of Gwen's Girls, Inc., a community-based, non-profit for at risk girls in Pittsburgh, PA. She has a passion to research and deliver holistic care that is evidence-based and empowers girls, their families, and the wider community.
Sara Goodkind, PhD, MSW
Sara Goodkind is Associate Professor of Social Work, Sociology, and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. She researches programs and services for young people, particularly those involved with the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
Britney Brinkman, PhD
Britney Brinkman is an Associate Professor at Park Point University. She researches the psychology of gender, diversity, resilience in children and adolescents, youth activism, and social justice.
Issue Brief: Allegheny County
Empowering Black Girls for
Critical Consciousness and Action
