Chapter 9: Challenging Intersectional marginalization in Identity Based Centers

Identity centers have served to facilitate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work in higher education. These centers emerged after the 1960s soon after the integration of schools, student activism and protests for increased services, and more supportive campus environments primarily for people of color and women. Identity-focused centers continue to emerge at institutions across the country and are often referred to as “safe spaces.” Some centers are tasked with serving multiple communities such as multicultural centers or diversity centers, while others focus on a “single” identity or community such as Black culture centers (BCC), Latino centers, or women’s centers.