Part II: Solutions for Black Women to Address Financial and Fellowship Inequity
Introduction
Fellowship opportunities are transformative for scholars, providing funding, access to networks, and resources to advance research. However, within religious scholarship—a combination of disciplines steeped in tradition and often slow to adapt to diversity—Black women face specific challenges. Disparities in fellowship awards, shaped by systemic inequities and biases, can limit opportunities for deserving scholars. This article examines the evidence behind these disparities and presents strategies, with insights drawn from the Sistah Scholars Community, a group designed to support Black women religious scholars.
Understanding the Data
Disparities in fellowship awards are well-documented across disciplines, and religious studies is no exception. Black women religious scholars encounter implicit biases, limited representation, and unequal access to resources. A 2024 analysis of global fellowships found that scholars from underrepresented groups, particularly Black women, received fewer awards despite meeting or exceeding eligibility criteria (Andreoli et al., 2024).
Key Findings for Religious Scholarship:
Bias in Research Focus: Applications centered on Black theology, liberation theology, or religious traditions from the African diaspora may be undervalued by committees unfamiliar with these fields.
Underrepresentation in Academia: Black women represent a small fraction of tenured faculty within religious scholarship, broadly, further limiting mentorship opportunities.
Intersectional Barriers: Gender and race combine to create unique obstacles, from fewer recommendations to biases in peer-reviewed evaluations (Ziarek, 2024).
Case Studies: Challenges in Religious Fellowships
1. The Lilly Endowment and Bias in Focus Areas
While the Lilly Endowment funds a broad range of theological research, Black women scholars report that applications focusing on social justice or liberation theology often face greater scrutiny. This highlights the need for committees to diversify their perspectives.
2. NIH and NSF Data on Religion-Related Grants
Although the NIH and NSF do not directly focus on the study of religion, their findings about funding disparities reflect broader issues in academia. In particular, scholars with intersectional identities—Black women in fields like Christian Ethics, Theology or the intersection of faith and health—experience lower success rates in receiving grants (Fritz et al., 2024).
How Sistah Scholars Supports Religious Scholars
The Sistah Scholars Community is designed to address these challenges. Drawing on years of success in fellowship applications, Sistah Scholars provides Black women religious scholars with practical guidance and mentorship tailored to their unique experiences.
Workshops on Application Writing: Learn how to craft compelling personal statements and research proposals that resonate with selection committees.
Mentorship from Experts: Connect with other Black women religious scholars who have successfully secured fellowships in theology, biblical studies, ethics, and related fields.
Community Accountability: Join a supportive network where members encourage each other and share strategies for navigating bias and systemic barriers.
Strategies for Overcoming Disparities in Religious Fellowships
1. Frame Your Research for Broad Appeal
While maintaining your unique focus, articulate how your work addresses broader societal or academic questions. For instance, a study on Black church traditions can also explore community resilience or cultural identity, tying it to universal themes.
2. Build Strong Networks
Seek mentors and collaborators who share your values and experiences. Sistah Scholars offers networking opportunities to connect with like-minded religious scholars who can provide advice and guidance.
3. Highlight Unique Contributions
Emphasize the significance of your perspective as a Black woman scholar. Committees increasingly value diverse voices that bring fresh insights to traditional fields like theology and religious ethics.
Policy Recommendations for Fellowship Committees
1. Increase Representation on Selection Panels
Fellowship committees should include scholars who understand the value of underrepresented perspectives, such as those focusing on African or African American religious traditions.
2. Expand Criteria to Include Diverse Methodologies
Religious studies fellowships should explicitly value interdisciplinary work that incorporates community engagement or social justice.
3. Mandate Bias Awareness Training
Committees should undergo training to recognize and address implicit biases that may affect their evaluations of applications.
The Role of Sistah Scholars in Systemic Change
Sistah Scholars is not just a support network; it is a community committed to systemic change across the board in religious scholarship. By equipping members with the tools and resources needed to succeed, Sistah Scholars aims to address disparities in fellowship awards while creating a space where Black women religious scholars can thrive.
Advocacy for Equity: Collaborating with institutions to implement policies that increase diversity in fellowship awards.
Data Collection: Tracking outcomes for members to identify and address systemic barriers.
Representation Matters: Sharing success stories to inspire the next generation of Black women scholars.
Conclusion
Disparities in fellowship awards for Black women religious scholars are a reflection of broader inequities within academia. However, these barriers are not insurmountable. Through targeted strategies, systemic reforms, and the support of communities like Sistah Scholars, Black women can not only navigate these challenges but excel in their disciplines.
The Sistah Scholars Community, built on years of experience in securing competitive fellowships, offers a unique and transformative space for Black women religious scholars. Together, we can create a more inclusive academic landscape where every voice is valued and every scholar has the opportunity to thrive.
If you are a Black woman religious scholar seeking to break barriers and secure fellowship success, the Sistah Scholars Community is here to support you. Join us in reshaping the future of religious scholarship.
Amanda Golden-Peace, The Misogynoir to Mishpat (M2M) Research Network © 2025
References
Andreoli, L., Ovseiko, P. V., & Roy, D. (2024). Gender equity in global rheumatology awards. Annals of Rheumatology. Read more
Fritz, C. D., McMillan, R., Mateo, C., & Ruiz, J. (2024). JAMA Network Open Health Equity Fellowship Commentary. JAMA Network Open. Access here
Niemierko, A., Kamran, S. C., & Pompa, I. (2024). Demographic attributes among ASTRO fellow awardees between 2006 and 2023. International Journal of Radiation Oncology. Learn more
Ziarek, E. P. (2024). Economies of Virtue: The Circulation of Ethics in AI. Critical AI. View article