African American Executives’ Experiences of Perceived Racial Microaggressions in Human Services
Date of Conferral
10-24-2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Human Services
Advisor
Tronda Douglas
Abstract
Researchers have revealed that African-American executives have experienced microaggressions by their Caucasian subordinates. This generic qualitative study addressed the experiences of African American executives who have encountered racial microaggressions from Caucasian subordinates in human services as well as their coping mechanisms used to address racial microaggressions in the workplace. The theoretical framework for this study was Pierce’s microaggressions theory. Purposeful snowball sampling was used to recruit participants. Data were analyzed using inductive analysis and Percy’s method for determining emergent themes. Results revealed that African-American executives experienced microaggressions from their Caucasian subordinates. Findings further revealed how Caucasian subordinates perceived their African-American executive leaders. The themes of staying the course, internalized experiences, perceptions of a colleague, passing the baton, and pushing through barriers further revealed African-American executives’ resiliency and ability to cope with microaggressions from their Caucasian subordinates. Findings from this study contribute to positive social change by providing information to human services professionals, human services agencies, and policymakers on how to address microaggressions in the workplace.
Recommended Citation
Stokes, Katrina Daphne, "African American Executives’ Experiences of Perceived Racial Microaggressions in Human Services" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14991.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14991
