Research rooted in belonging, advocacy, liberation, and love.
Advancing community-centered research, advocacy, and healing for Black, Afro-diasporic, LGBTQ+ communities. We believe knowledge is empowerment.
"The Belonging, Advocacy, Liberation, and Love (BALL) Research Collective is committed to advancing knowledge that empowers, affirms, and prioritizes the well-being of Black, Afro-diasporic, LGBTQ+ communities."
Our Mission
Our Values
Belonging
We are committed to cultivating affirming spaces where communities are seen, valued, and empowered.
Advocacy
We believe research should support action, equity, and systemic transformation.
Liberation
We practice deconstructing and disrupting oppressive systems and advance pathways toward collective freedom.
Love
We center care, humanity, and relational accountability in our scholarship and community engagement.
Strategic Focus
Our research focuses on the intersection of joy, health, and liberation for marginalized voices.
Centering Black queer joy, wellness, and resistance
Research that moves beyond trauma to celebrate the vibrant existence and resilience of our community members through qualitative and narrative inquiry.
Promoting health equity
Addressing systemic barriers to healthcare and wellness through data-driven advocacy.
Strength-based approaches
Utilizing community-centered models that honor the existing assets of our partners.
Participatory Research
Prioritizing research grounded in the lived experience of our community.
The Reclamation Project
A longitudinal study exploring how digital communal spaces provide healing and affirmation for Black queer youth in rural environments.
Collective Impact
Join the Collective Care
Whether you're a researcher, an advocate, or a community member, there's space for you here. Let's build a future rooted in love.