In the U.S. public educational system, the superintendent role is crucial for shaping student outcomes, yet it is predominantly occupied by White males (73%), with African American females making up less than 1% of these positions. Historical research on superintendents often overlooked gender and racial diversity, contributing to the…

Historically, Black women have faced many challenges in the pursuit of education. Despite being marginalized in educational spaces, black women have been instrumental in educating Black communities. Continuously, Black women have been considered the minority in school leadership positions. African Americans represent only 11% of all school…

This research is necessitated as Black women continue to face unique and significant challenges in educational leadership. Supported by Black Feminist Theory, this study explores the successful leadership pathways of Black women in medical higher education while navigating barriers. The goal is to promote the inclusion of Black women in medical…

Historically, there remains an underrepresentation of Black women in and en route to the highest levels of organisational leadership. The divide is all the more pronounced in the field of education, one in which women represent a large share of the community. Particularly relevant for Black women is the incongruence between their heightened…

This paper focuses on the working relationship between the director of an HE institute in the UK, and an artist-researcher navigating the higher education dance working environment and motherhood. The paper draws on personal experiences, sections labelled "vignettes" that highlight a tension faced by the individual and reflects on how…

Anti-Blackness in the academy has the potential to negatively impact relationships between Black Women, which can ultimately influence Black women's retention and career advancement. Through an analysis of existing theories, including workplace friendships, Black feminist thought, and critical race theory, the authors first interrogate how…

This study highlights the importance of giving Black female administrators a platform to share their stories and make meaning of their experiences as intersectionality. The idea for this study was born of countless conversations I had with Black female educators at all levels. As I reflect on them, the topic of trauma as a result of anti-Blackness…

The problem addressed in the study was the challenges that made it difficult for African American female administrators to move into educational leadership positions. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive case study was to explore how African American female school administrators described the challenges they faced in their journey to…

This qualitative research study explored how the lifelong narrative identities of women educational leaders within the context of power structures have shaped the leaders they are today. Through narrative inquiry methodology and theoretical frameworks of narrative identity and feminist poststructuralism, six executive-level women leaders in the…

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.- James BaldwinBlack women have always been in the forefront leading change and supporting the attainment of education in the academy. They have been the greatest hidden figures. This study strives to nuance the experiences of Black women presidents at…

This dissertation explores the internal cultures of (14) United States higher education boards from the perspectives of (18) Women of Color trustees. Guided by Critical Race Feminism, Intersectionality, and Organizational Culture Theory, the author develops a framework to study the impact of race "and" gender on historically…

While the overall number of women superintendents has increased in recent years, representation disparities persist across educational ranks. The present study's aim was to explore the career paths that facilitate women's success in achieving and retaining the superintendent role for five or more years. Employing narrative inquiry through…

This study sought to examine the underlying issues and perceptions of sitting male and female superintendents in order to add to the current literature on feminism in the K-12 school setting. Specifically, this study sought to examine the perceptions of currently employed superintendents about how they experienced the intersection of gender and…

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…

Historically, research suggests that African American women are disproportionately represented in higher education leadership positions. There have been few studies that provide insight into the actual barriers African American women face as they climb the leadership ladder to senior level positions in higher education. The purpose of this…