Centering and Empowering Black Women
We Are
The Standard.
Mission
The Standard seeks to create an informal space for students who identify as Black women to come together to connect with peers, culturally-conscious staff members, faculty members, administrators and alums who also identify as Black women. We recognize that while society may offer false portrayals of who and what Black women should be, The Standard is a space where we define ourselves for ourselves. After all, we are - and will always be - THE Standard.
Vision
Our vision is to support and connect generations of Black women who walk through Princeton by creating an equitable holding space to reflect upon individual and shared experiences. In doing so, we challenge the normative thinking around what it means to be a Black woman at Princeton and beyond.
What We Do
Black Girl Pods
The Black Girl Pods were created in Fall 2020 to sustain virtual connection between members of The Standard during the Covid-19 pandemic. They have evolved into a wonderful vehicle for meaningful engagement across class years, alumnae status and faculty, staff and administrator affiliations at Princeton.
Signature Dinners
At the end of each academic term, a Black woman member of the Princeton faculty, staff or administration will open her home to members of The Standard to create a warm space for convening and connecting. Beginning as a set of small informal dinner conversations, The Standard Signature Dinners have grown over time to become a highly anticipated community celebration.
Wellness Initiatives
Acknowledging some of the inequities in social support for Black women on campus, The Standard leadership creatively utilizes informed wellness practices and staff support to facilitate interactive virtual and in-person programs. We also create safe opportunities for our members to just “be” in a healing space together.