Unpacking Black Women Superintendents’ Experiences: Intersectionality of Race, Gender, and Resiliency

Abstract

In keeping with the special issue centered on Gender and Race in the Workplace, this article explores the role that the intersection of race and gender played in the attainment of the superintendency for four Black women superintendents. Despite their increasing presence in educational leadership, Black women continue to experience marginalization such as being overworked, undervalued, and overlooked in the workplace. By examining the barriers these women faced as well as the ways in which they overcame them, much can be weaned from their wisdom and experiences for future aspirants as well as current superintendents. This article highlights the journeys of four Black women superintendents which underscores their intersectionality experiences drawing upon their resilience to achieve success. Their stories, especially in light of the increasingly violent and racially charged settings in which they find themselves, are necessary and deserve a voice. The findings have implications for research and practice.

Examining the Intersectionality of Gender and Race in Leadership Experiences Within U.S. Higher Education: Towards Equitable Representation and Social Justice

“…Intersectionality is a multifaceted concept that centers on understanding the inherent complexities within societal structures, individuals, and their experiences. As posited by Crenshaw and echoed in Kingsberry and Jean-Marie, intersectionality underscores the simultaneity of multiple identities and the ways these identities converge to shape experiences of discrimination or advantage [3,4]. For instance, it brings to the fore how being both black and a woman can compound experiences of discrimination, as these dual identities intersect in the sociocultural landscape [4].…”

“…As posited by Crenshaw and echoed in Kingsberry and Jean-Marie, intersectionality underscores the simultaneity of multiple identities and the ways these identities converge to shape experiences of discrimination or advantage [3,4]. For instance, it brings to the fore how being both black and a woman can compound experiences of discrimination, as these dual identities intersect in the sociocultural landscape [4]. This overlap of identities is not limited to race and gender alone.…”

“…In this paper, the significance of intersectionality in studying educational leadership and equity is underscored by its potential to delve deeper into the multifaceted experiences of minority and marginalized individuals within higher educational settings. Since a one-dimensional approach risks oversimplifying these experiences and failing to recognize the nuanced challenges and opportunities they present [4]. Specifically, within U.S. higher education, an intersectional approach offers an invaluable lens for understanding the intricate interplay of power dynamics, institutional barriers, and personal experiences.…”

A Call for Black Superintendents to Document Their Experiences Through Autoethnography

“…These superintendents often feel as if their identity is divided into several parts; they must hold a powerful, public position while often simultaneously facing racialized oppression in a White-dominated system. Research has shown that navigating work environments and communities in which they face explicit racism may be a standard part of lived experience for many Black professionals (Kingsberry & Jean-Marie, 2021; Roberts & Mayo, 2019).…”

“…Adding the voices of Black superintendents to the literature may help others meet the unique challenges. Black administrators may feel isolated, question their efficacy, or suffer imposter syndrome, feeling like they do not belong or are unworthy, as they navigate feelings of inauthenticity or insecurity leading non-Black peers (Kingsberry & Jean-Marie, 2021; Roberts & Mayo, 2019). Other psycho-emotional challenges include the expectation to serve as racial ambassadors and the resultant fatigue of leading conversations about race to help diverse staff understand, be more sensitive to, and work in more productive ways with one another (Grogan & Miles Nash, 2021).…”