This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Black women employed in senior-level Division I NCAA football bowl subdivision (FBS) intercollegiate athletic administration. The study answers two research questions to understand how Black women in FBS athletics perceive their intersecting identities as influencing their career experiences…

My dissertation is unique and contributes to the academic literature because it explores the barriers that retired and current African American women face while pursuing and working in higher education leadership roles in Arkansas. Using a narrative inquiry design, I interviewed 17 retired and working leaders by asking them to share their personal…

Higher education leadership is a highly important role that impacts many and can have far-reaching effects on those in the educational institute and beyond. These leadership positions are very demanding roles that require hard work, ingenuity, and insight. For this very reason, it is essential that positions of higher education leadership are…

This qualitative narrative inquiry studied the career journeys of five Black school principals from Indiana with five or more years of experience in their role. The purpose of this study was to understand the following: (a) the experiences of each participant including who influenced them to pursue the principal role, (b) their successful…

Despite an increasingly diverse student population across the United States, the alarming decrease in minority K-12 school administrators (Taie et al., 2022) demands immediate attention. This qualitative study aims to understand the experiences of three different African American school administrators, extracting insights and implications that can…

In an era of heightened anti-Black racism and aspirations of equity in education, equity directors are at the vanguard of district efforts to eradicate educational injustices. This study examined how the racialized and gendered organizational contexts of U.S. equity directors shaped their equity leadership to transform educational systems. Drawing…

In this qualitative study, the process followed by ten African-American Women to achieve success in higher education leadership was explored. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, the strategies used by these women can serve as a guide for other culturally diverse women who aspire to leadership roles in higher education administration or…

African American women's transformation into leadership positions in higher education has been a challenge. The negotiation of gender, race, and equality have complicated how women lead in educational institutions. In the reconstruction of leadership roles, males have been the dominant ones as observed through promotions, salary increases, and job…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how African American female principals describe their experiences of opportunities, challenges, and support with a focus on the intersectionality of race and gender in the Southwestern United States. The underrepresentation of African American female principals necessitated this…

This case describes how, after being hired by a large urban school district in the southern United States, a Black male superintendent's relationship with his stakeholders deteriorated due to disagreements about his equity-based leadership approach. Three incidents occurred during his tenure, which he believed to be racially motivated. Yet, the…

Representations of Black leaders in the provost position are few, which speaks to historic views on Black intellectualism, barriers to administrative service, and a lack of professional networks and mentors. In this essay, Russell S. Thacker and Sydney Freeman Jr. examine the lived experiences of thirteen current and former Black provosts at…

Before the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) case, Black schools were led by Black principals, who were community leaders and role models held in high regard (Tillman, 2004b). However, this image and perception of the Black male principal began to vanish after the Brown v. Board of Education case decision to integrate schools (James, 1970). This…

African-American women face substantial career barriers when seeking ascension to educational leadership. Numerous factors contribute to career advancement barriers, such as systemic, institutional challenges, organizational factors, personality, and individual contributors. Various systemic and managerial aspects, directly and indirectly, were…

This dissertation investigates the leadership experiences of African America women employed at historically White Christian colleges and universities. The study engages the narratives of African American women who are leaders within these institutions. The findings of the study illuminate intersectionality and the challenges the double-bind of…

This qualitative narrative research study was conducted to gain first-hand knowledge on Black women narrating their experiences in educational leadership positions within an urban school district. Although visible shackles are no longer apparent on Black women, their muted voices are a reminder that this sub-group is still portrayed by others…