“You Don’t Get to Decide My Fate”

Abstract Entering the field of higher education for Black women faculty often comes with the sense of estrangement and exclusion. This collaborative autoethnography employs a narrative inquiry approach to explore the experiences of two novice Black women faculty as they navigate the new terrain of the academy in the aftermath of their graduate studies. Using the lens of Black Feminist Thought, the authors share, reflect, and make sense of their lived experiences. Black Feminist Thought brings together narratives and experiences of Black women and situates them within a specific historical context. Following the analysis of the shared experiences, a series of key themes emerge. The authors conclude the chapter by discussing these findings and providing recommendations on how Black women faculty can be supported through their earlier years in the academy as they prepare for the prospect of tenure.