“…As more scholars address the relational aspects of school racial contexts, such as peer social norms (Rivas-Drake et al, 2019), it is important to consider the intersectional raced and gendered realities of Black girls (Davis Tribble et al, 2019; Rosario et al, 2021; Ward & Robinson-Wood, 2016). Several studies highlighted the positive influences of same-race peer networks on Black student achievement and racial identity in K-12 schools and higher education (Gilkes, 2019; Leath, et al, 2021; Rivas-Drake et al, 2019), while a few investigations documented the challenges of same-race peer networks for Black students in predominantly White schools, as well (Carter Andrews et al, 2019; Leath, Quiles, et al, 2022). Similarly, we found that while some women felt less affected by colorism because they were surrounded by other Black students in K-12 who offered a diversity of looks, personalities, and friendship opportunities, other women described how same-race peers were the primary perpetrators of colorist messages in their settings.…”