Hooded: A Black Girl’s Guide to the PhD.

by Malika Grayson

How do you survive graduate school when you are the only black woman in a predominantly white space?

This book explores the unexamined experiences of Black women in higher education. From racism, navigating feelings of self-doubt, to confronting microaggression’s, Black women face an uphill battle as they earn advanced degrees in majority white institutions and departments. Having a voice means facing retaliation or dismissal, while staying silent becomes a heavy burden all on its own.

In Hooded: a Black Girl’s Guide to the PhD, Dr. Malika Grayson offers an account of surviving and thriving as a doctoral candidate in STEM. Written for all those who have never seen themselves represented in their chosen career, Hooded provides practical survival strategies, mental health tips, and ideas for creating community and leaving a lasting legacy. With this essential resource, you won’t feel quite as alone—and you might even become your own, unexpected hero.

Genres: Grad School, Nonfiction

171 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2020

Reviews

[Vanessa RC, Ph.D.]

Hooded is a great book for black women or women and men of all races. It gives the reader lots to think about and what to expect or prepare for when considering a doctoral program. It was also helpful for me as a fourth year PhD student. This book gave me even more motivation to continue with my program. I hope she writes another book about her journey into a career in industry!

[Rach]

Must read for ALL, but especially for those entering their doctoral studies in a field where their identity is underrepresented.

The author offers up sound advice for navigating your PhD (e.g. choosing an advisor), but where this book really shines is in hearing the perspective of a black women who experienced what you currently (or are about to) experience. Speaking from experience, being the sole black woman in a cohort, or in an entire program, can be difficult. Stereotype threat and imposter syndrome weigh heavy and are constantly looming. Reading through the author’s journey and seeing so many parallels to my own journey really validated the things I’ve felt and dealt with. Sometimes when you’re underrepresented, your experiences feel so isolated from everyone else’s and it’s easy to question if it’s just you, rather than something larger contributing to the disparity between how you experience things and how you perceive others to be experiencing things. Just knowing that you’re not alone or crazy can be very grounding, and this book can be a source for that.

I also think this book is an excellent opportunity for everyone to understand the experience of double minorities in academia. The book is about the author’s experience and therefore doesn’t address other double-minorities, but it definitely sets the stage to consider how the unseen and unheard struggles from other groups (e.g. disabled students, LGBTQ+ students, neurodivergent students, etc.) affect their ability to progress in their doctoral journeys.

[Adrienne L. Edwards]

A MUST read for ALL Black women doctoral students.

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: How do you survive graduate school when you’re the only Black woman in a predominantly white space?

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:
I absolutely love that this book explores the unexamined experiences of black women in higher education. Dr. Grayson spoke on issues I was facing and some of her tips I had already put into place. Her tips are essential to getting through your doctoral program without feeling alone, without thinking you don’t belong, and to give yourself grace as you walk through your program.

She speaks strongly in her book about her self-doubt, Which I know she’s not the only one who feels that no matter what color you are. However, I have found there is only one other Black woman in my program and discovering this was essential for me. My degree program is in English Pedagogy and Technology Writing.

If you are a Black woman in graduate school I would highly recommend you pick up Dr. Grayson‘s book. She has shown her transparency and allowed herself to be vulnerable in her book to help other Black women on their journey.

Dr. Grayson details her experiences and takes you a long her journey as she learns how to navigate her way through her doctoral program as the 𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 Black woman in a PWI.

I give this book 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Gwen Villaruel]

This book is a must read. It is not only a guide that offers exceptional tips that can easily be implemented but, it is a testimony. A story of persistence. This was one book I did not want to end. A page turner from start to finish. When she wrote "signed an unapologetic woman with a PhD" my immediate reaction was YASSSSSSSS!!! The author, Dr. Malika Grayson, wrote her story in such a way that it felt as though I was on the rollercoaster ride with her. It was also made me question what can be done in the PWI to make everyone feel welcomed no matter their ethnicity. How can a tribe be created if we are 1 of 1. This book creates a conversation that needs to happen. I am so glad she finished her program on top! And shared her journey with the world. Great book!

[Isabella Cobble]

I loved this book! Dr. Grayson’s story is extremely inspiring and I loved reading about how she overcame all of the obstacles she faced as a Black woman in an Ivy League mechanical engineering PhD program. I am grateful that Dr. Grayson was so open and honest about her experiences in her book, she is a true trailblazer for women in STEM.

[Ashia S.]

This book was amazingly written. I chose to read this book as I decided whether to pursue a Ph.D or PSY.d in the next few years. It was refreshing to feel connected to the author. For example, every time she expressed her anxiety I would be like “Girl I understand but you got this!!!” as if I was one of her peers. I will definitely re-read this again!

[Abigail Macaluso]

Dr. Grayson is a trailblazer. I am in awe of her. How she channels hardship into mentorship is truly amazing. The way she tells her story in Hooded is inspiring and so important. I cannot wait to see all that she goes on to do!

[Kaelyn]

This book is a necessity for any black woman interested in or currently pursuing a PhD!!! I will be coming back to this once I am in my 4th and 5th year to refresh and answer the prompts for those chapters. Thank you so much Dr. Grayson for writing this much needed book!

[Dee’s Cozy Corner Brown]

I loved the book. The only black woman in her program.