Sister Friends: A Reflection and Analysis of the Therapeutic Role of Sisterhood in African American Women's Lives

An Integrative Review of Sistah Circles in Empirical Research

Sistah circles are spaces shared by Black women who share similar goals, exchange resources (e.g., support), and invest in developing strong relational bonds over time. Considering the significance of sistah circles for Black women's wellness and survival, in this study we examined how this phenomenon has been researched in the social sciences literature and, in turn, offered a more refined conceptual definition and framework that will direct future research on this topic. Specifically, we completed an integrative review of empirical studies on sistah circles using social science databases and search engines to identify relevant literature. Articles included for review met the following criteria: (a) published between 2000 and 2020, (b) analyzed empirical data, (c) were composed of Black women participants, and (d) mentioned Black women groups or friendships. Qualifying sources ( N = 45) were organized into a taxonomy of three types of sistah circles: health-focused, social, and professional. We also analyzed sample characteristics, research methods, and publication trends across all of the articles included in the review. Based upon our taxonomy and results of our review, we highlight the strengths and limitations of the current scholarship focused on Black women's sistah circles and offer suggestions regarding future research and practice. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843231154564

Black Women Coaches in Community: Promising Practices for Mentorship in Canada

Mentorship programs have been shown to help under-represented women navigate their environments, but little research has been done on mentorship programs in sport coaching in Canada. The first of its kind in Canada, the Black Female Coach Mentorship Program (BFCMP) created by the Black Canadian Coaches Association in partnership with the Coaching Association of Canada caters to an historically excluded population: Black, Biracial, and Indigenous women coaches. The research aimed to understand the experiences of program participants to better inform policy, decision-making, and sustainability of the BFCMP. Through mentorship session observations, one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 15 of the 27 inaugural BFCMP mentors and mentees, and thematic analysis, we determined the ability to form a trusted community was a promising practice for coach mentorship programs. Our findings suggest that participants, the majority of whom were the only Black woman coach in their program/institution, benefit from mentorship because of the opportunities to help each other develop as leaders, build relationships to resist loneliness, and nurture resilience through community.