Advances in Developing Human Resources current issue

Giving Voice From the Perspectives of African American Women Leaders

Stanley, C. A. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:08:53 PST

The problem and the solution. This Issue overview introduces the problem, purpose, significance, and need for studying leadership from the perspectives of African American women. The concept of intersectionality is introduced and is a common thread throughout the articles contained in this Issue. The need for more sociocultural theories in the field of human resource development (HRD) that address intersectionality in the leadership experience is the overarching theme of this Issue. A discussion of the contribution to HRD is provided in this overview as well as a preview of each article contained in this Issue.

Black Women's Leadership Experiences: Examining the Intersectionality of Race and Gender

Jean-Marie, G., Williams, V. A., Sherman, S. L. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:08:54 PST

In this article, the experiences of Black women educational leaders are highlighted to examine the intersection of race and gender in their leadership experiences and tease out approaches to gender inclusiveness to disrupt the isms (racism, sexism, etc.) in the construction of their leadership. The participants’ transcendence of racial and gender stereotypes became the impetus for developing a leadership style that is inclusive, builds consensus, and is collaborative. This issue is important given the increasing demographic changes in society in which more opportunities for Black women to ascend to leadership roles in professional organizations (e.g., business, higher education, and government) become prevalent.

Telling Our Stories of Leadership: If We Don't Tell Them They Won't Be Told

Byrd, M. Y. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:08:54 PST

The purpose of this qualitative study is to bring the interlocking system of race, gender, and social class (intersectionality) to the conversation of leadership by examining the leadership experiences of 10 African American women in predominantly White organizations. According to the women in this study, disempowering encounters, being excluded from the good ole boy social network, being the only one, needing validation, and demythicizing (disrupting myth) stereotypical images were the most salient encounters that they experienced. Another finding from this study was the need for sociocultural theories such as Black feminist theory and critical race theory to explain and give voice to the everyday lived experiences of African American women leaders.

Implications of Race and Gender in Higher Education Administration: An African American Woman's Perspective

Lloyd-Jones, B. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:08:54 PST

A qualitative single-case-study approach is used in this study to examine the lived experiences of an African American woman senior-level administrator in a predominantly White research university. The everyday, lived experience of the participant challenges the ideology that education and hard work are combinations that equal success. The findings in the study indicate that despite achieving advanced levels of education and holding high-ranking positions within academia, many African American women in administrative positions encounter social inequity emerging from intersectionality. The dichotomous tension between achievement ideologies, as "the great equalizer," and the organizational structure as a form of resistance to social equity are continuous threads throughout this article.

Fostering an Ethic of Care in Leadership: A Conversation with Five African American Women

Bass, L. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:08:54 PST

This article is a qualitative, exploratory, multicase study that examines the leadership of five educational administrators and teachers serving students of various levels. This study addresses the following questions: How do African American women leaders’ experiences with intersectionality (race, class, and gender) inform an ethic of care in responding to social injustices within the educational system? How do African American women in these situations define caring? This study offers new perspectives to feminist care-focused frameworks by including the intersection of race, gender, and class in the conversation. Central to the discussion is African American women’s sensitivity of issues that emerge from the intersection of race, gender, and social class in large organizational systems as a result of their own marginalized status in society. Although this study examines educational leaders, the implications are similar across other professions where African American women are leaders and demonstrate an ethic of care.

Borrowed Power

Petitt, B. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:08:54 PST

Whiteness is a critical issue in organizational culture and power. Because White individuals define, control, and shape organizational realities, policies, and practices, people of color—African American women, in the present example—are never fully empowered. The power African American women hold is borrowed power; it can be taken away at any moment. In this article, the author discusses the sociocultural realities of her experience as an African American woman working in a predominately White institution of higher education and provides illustrations of the impermanence of her authority under the weight of whiteness. Recommendations are made for advancing HRD theory by drawing from nontraditional theoretical frameworks for explaining the realities of African American women in positions of leadership.

Reflections on Leadership from the Perspective of an African American Woman of Faith

Walker, S. A. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:08:54 PST

This article centers on faith and spirituality in the lived experiences of African American women in predominantly White organizations. Faith and spirituality are discussed as sources for coping and surviving adverse situations that emerge from intersectionality in these types of environments. The author gives personal reflections on how faith and spirituality have informed her experiences in various leadership roles. In this article, a historical and cultural background of faith and spirituality in the leadership experiences of African American women leaders will be emphasized. The discussion will include ways that faith and spirituality have provided a safe haven for African American women leaders when facing adversities in predominantly White organizations.

Bringing the Voices Together

Byrd, M. Y., Stanley, C. A. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:08:54 PST

The linking pin among the articles in this Issue is the existence of sociocultural realities of race, gender, and social class in the everyday, lived experiences of African American women leaders. Sociocultural realities make an argument for recognizing intersectionality (the juncture of these sociocultural realities) and the experiences that can emerge (disempowering, exclusion, etc.). Therefore, sociocultural theories are needed to explain these experiences. The overarching theme of this Issue has been to give voice to African American women on encounters with intersectionality in their leadership experience. Until the silent voices are allowed to speak, the dominant perspectives will continue to ignore and challenge the need for these conversations to take place. It is in making the space for and the hearing of these voices that the value to HRD lies. For doing so informs the development and refinement of informing HRD theories, the expansion of the theoretical foundations of HRD, and the more informed research and practice of the field and profession.