Structured from a qualitative research design, this meta-synthesis explored the lived experiences and perceptions women of color hold regarding their leadership within higher education. The purpose of the study was to generate understanding of said experiences and examine women of color leadership persistence within higher education, especially…

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 case study shares the strengths and messiness of using grounded theory as a methodology from the perspective of a researcher. The chosen grounded-theory approach closely resonated with the study's objective, aiming to establish a novel framework for race-conscious leadership. Grounded theory offers an open and flexible method to examine an…

Black-female principals experience competing harms at the intersection of race and gender, which disproportionately impacts their retention and sustainability. This qualitative study explores their lived experiences through critical lenses to center Black-female humanity, wholeness, and staying power in the position. While limited, research has…

This black feminist qualitative sista circle study engages an anti-deficit approach to explore the ways that Black women senior housing officers (SHOs) in higher education thrive in their work as organizational leaders despite racial and gendered oppressions. Black women senior housing officers are dynamic organizational leaders with racial and…

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…

We sought to explore the extent to which race might influence how African American superintendents cope with the stressors of their leadership roles and the presence of support while in such positions. In order to test this question, we recruited African American superintendents across the United States. We specifically measured their ability to…

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…

Black resident assistants' experiences are shaped by race and racism. Previous research highlights the unique challenges that Black RAs encounter, such as isolation and hypervisibility, racial stereotypes, and unfair treatment from white supervisors. Most of this research is, however, located within predominantly white institutions (PWIs). As the…

There seems to be "open season" on the lives of young, unarmed African American men and women in the United States. Stand Your Ground law/Castle Doctrine has become the tool of legal lynching in the United States. Across varied and diverse communities, leaders are grappling with this phenomenon with a sense of urgency. This qualitative…

The racial and cultural climates at predominantly White institutions of higher education have a history of being unwelcoming and unsupportive of administrators and leaders of color. Leaders of color have filled a majority of the leadership positions charged with advancing diversity and equity-driven agendas at predominantly White institutions. The…

The dearth of representation regarding Black and Ethnic Minorities (BME) in senior educational leadership roles within higher education (HE) has become a salient issue as egalitarian notions associated with equality and diversity continue to be contradicted by university institutions, despite increased calls for greater diversification.…

As institutions of higher education across the nation strive to prepare the next generation of student leaders, Dr. King's words echo in our ears: "We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there 'is' such a thing as being too…

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Black community college administrators who have transitioned to upper-level management, while maintaining their own race consciousness. A race conscious mindset is defined as: (a) acknowledgement of racialized self as Black; (b) normative emphasis on racial group membership as part of…

Black female school leaders remain underrepresented as educational leaders in the K-12 context as marginalizing factors persist in the field. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black female school leaders through the lens of intersectionality. For this research study, intersectionality…