Affirming Spaces: A Critical Race Theoretic Analysis of Experiential Knowledge at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Racism in the United States permeates institutions, including universities. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives were created to support and empower racially marginalized students, but political backlash ended DEI initiatives across the U.S. Amid this abandonment, students of color are increasingly seeking institutions that affirm their racial and cultural identities. Using Critical Race Theory (CRT), this study examines the microaffirmations narrated by Hispanic/Latinx and African American students at a HSI in Texas. We found that HSIs can function as affirming spaces that strengthen the intellectual agency of Latinx and Black undergraduates.