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CULTIVATING LEADERSHIP, CENTERING COMMUNITY

My approach to teaching and mentorship is grounded in collaboration, critical inquiry, and culturally responsive care. I strive to create learning environments where students, especially Black girls and youth of color, can not only thrive but also see themselves as leaders, scholars, and change-makers. I aim to build spaces that nurture voice, agency, and a commitment to community-rooted transformation through interactive teaching methods, participatory curriculum development, and intentional mentorship.

TEACHING & MENTORSHIP

Teaching and mentorship have been central to my journey as a scholar and advocate. Through each course, seminar, and mentoring relationship, I work to create spaces where knowledge, leadership, and community-building are interconnected. The experiences below highlight how I approach teaching as a practice of empowerment, collaboration, and care.

Creator and Facilitator

Black Girls' Mental in Focus: Seminar Series

I created the Black Girlhood Seminar Series to equip individuals with culturally responsive strategies to support the mental health of Black girls. This three-part series engages participants in weekly discussions and activities focused on mental health disparities, culturally rooted practices, and advocacy. I have also adapted and presented components of the series to smaller groups working with Black girls. This initiative builds on my prior teaching and facilitation experience, detailed further on my CV.

Co-Facilitator

Black Girl Futures Girl Talk!

Black Girl Futures, created by Dr. Taryn T. Brown, developed Girl Talk! as an extension of its work to amplify the voices of Black girls through research and advocacy. I co-facilitated the Girl Talk! program in an alternative school setting, supporting girls as they explored their interests through youth-led research projects. I continue to work with the Black Girlhood Collaborative as a research consultant, helping support other facilitators and organizing related community-based projects.

Vice President

Spelman College GRL-PWR Incorporated

During my time as Vice President of GRL-PWR Inc. at Spelman College, I helped lead efforts to implement a social-emotional learning curriculum in schools across Atlanta’s West End community. Our work focused on teaching girls, primarily Black girls in elementary school, how to build healthy friendships, strengthen their leadership skills, and foster sisterhood. We sought to create spaces where young girls could thrive, connect, and see themselves reflected in the mentorship they received through community-university partnerships. 

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© 2025 by Ayanna Troutman, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

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