To whom much is given: a study of Black female leadership within the context of spouses of historically Black college and university presidents

Abstract

Black women have engaged in the uplift of the Black race, community and family since the Atlantic Slave Trade forced their arrival on the Eastern shores of the United States. This research project explored and recorded the uplift efforts of Black First Ladies who are married to presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) and use platforms that they did not actively seek to engage in the uplift of others. Additionally, the purpose of this study was to understand the experiences that contributed to these Black First Ladies' involvement in racial and community uplift, and to identify strategies and practices these unique community leaders employ when engaging in uplift. The stories of Black First Ladies have been absent in the academic canon and are worthy of exploration. The data for this project was collected using the Three Interview Series. The three study participants were interviewed three times on three separate occasions for between 45 to 90 minutes each. To ensure safety, during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic, each interview was conducted virtually using the Zoom platform. Experiences that contributed to racial and community uplift discussed in this project include the internalization of messages communicated in the homes of study participants during their childhoods, encounters with adults in K-12 schooling, pivotal moments in higher education, and occurrences in professional settings. Strategies and practices employed by participants as they engage in uplift include discussed include conflict resolution, connecting and advocacy. Other themes include, having a strong sense of self, mediation, the ability to "see" oneself and others, acts of service, placing one's family first, and creating legacy. The findings indicate a need for professional learning for K-12 educators that targets identifying and nurturing leadership dispositions during this critical period of identity development.