2 Story 1: Sandra

Sandra is a middle-class African American woman from Chicago

Community Advocate and Researcher

Sandra is a middle-class African American woman originally from Chicago. She attended Howard University, where she earned a strong academic record with a 3.78 GPA. During college, she balanced academics with employment as a Starbucks barista and remained involved in community organizations focused on youth programs and advocacy.

Sandra grew up in a family where education and professional achievement were important. Both of her parents earned bachelor’s degrees. Her mother works as a nurse, while her father works as a financial consultant. Sandra is one of four siblings and spent considerable time helping care for her younger siblings while her parents worked.

Her experiences have given her an interest in community-based work and advocacy. She is particularly interested in how decisions made by organizations and institutions affect communities. She also enjoys traveling internationally and typically travels outside the country twice a year.

Sandra is bisexual and identifies as non-gender conforming. She is an independent voter and does not consistently identify with one political party. She currently has approximately $45,000 in student loan debt.

What Sandra Brings to the Group

Sandra brings academic preparation, community experience, advocacy skills, and experience balancing multiple responsibilities. She is comfortable thinking about how organizational decisions affect people and communities.

However, her experiences may also mean that she asks questions about community impact that other members have not considered.

**As you read the case, watch for:
** How does Sandra’s understanding of community and advocacy influence the group’s conversations? How do other members respond when she raises issues they may not have considered?