"The current dissertation examines the stories of black women leaders in African Centered Education (ACE) in South Africa and Detroit using 'mothering' as a core theoretical framework to examine Black women's leadership globally. Pan-Africanism, African Centeredness, and womanism are theories within the study that provide a further understanding of their interwoven narratives. By focusing on the context, emergent themes, and aesthetic whole within a portraiture methodology -- the study hopes to shed light on what it refers to as 'Africana' women's stories. Distinctively, the dissertation study expands on the existing narrative of black women educators presenting them as leaders and using mothering as praxis by adding two originally researched elements - the experiences of black women leaders in African Centered Education and the current racialized and gendered transnational dialogue occurring between women in Detroit, Michigan and South Africa. 'Mothering' as praxis is mentioned throughout the experiences of black women educators (Baylor)(Gumbs)(Msila)(T. Karenga) (Hill-Brisbane) (Johnson L) (Johnson)(Collins). The concept essentially "involves valuing and of itself a commitment to the survival and thriving of other bodies" (Oka, 52). The role of the mother includes the ability to nurture, teach, mold, pass down culture, mentor, and support spiritual regeneration of our ancestors (T. Karenga) (Dove, 520) (Godono). With the current dissertation; these activities extended to 'emancipatory organizations, institutions, and social movements as is reflected in the history of the mothers of the freedom movements in this country and throughout the pan-African world' (Karenga)."--Pages ii-iii.
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