Date of Award
12-2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Executive Leadership
First Supervisor
Janice Kelly
Second Supervisor
Bil Leipold
Abstract
Within the nonprofit sector, people of color aspire to be leaders more than their White counterparts (Thomas-Breitfeld & Kunreuther, 2017). Black women are 2.8 times more likely than White women to aspire to powerful positions with a prestigious title, but 44% feel stalled and 26% feel their efforts go unrecognized by superiors more than their White female counterparts (Hewlett & Green, 2015). With a limited number of Black women in executive positions within the social sector, little is known about the perceived obstacles and employed strategies to navigate their way to the decision-making positions, specifically social justice organizations. The purpose of this study was to delve into the lived experiences of African American women who have acquired executive positions in the social sector and uncover a blueprint for success in navigating through the leadership labyrinth. The study utilizes social capital theory and Black feminist theory in exploring the narratives of the participants. The study utilized a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants from the New York metropolitan area. The findings of obstacles African American women experienced included (a) negative feedback, (b) perception of leadership, (c) fiscal solvency, and compensation. The strategies revealed by African American women were (a) positive feedback, (b) professional development and academic advancement, (c) connection to culture, (d) unsolicited opportunity, (e) mentoring and sponsorship, and (f) trailblazing. The women also shared recommendations of what those who aspire to be leaders should consider while on their journey to acquiring a nonprofit executive position.
Recommended Citation
Alvarez~Cleveland, Zenya, "Leaning In and Pushing Through: The Challenges and Strategies of African American Women Executives of Nonprofit Organizations in the New York Metropolitan Area" (2017). Education Doctoral. Paper 342.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/education_etd/342
Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations.