Date of Conferral
12-12-2025
Date of Award
December 2025
Degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
School
Education
Advisor
Cathryn Walker
Abstract
Abstract The problem that was addressed through this study is that Black women are underrepresented in executive leadership roles in the United States. Grounded in Ladson-Billings’ critical race theory and Hill Collins’ Black feminist theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of Black women executives regarding the challenges they face in attaining executive leadership roles and their recommendations to address the underrepresentation of Black women in executive leadership roles. Data were collected using semistructured interviews of 13 adult Black female executive leaders in a private sector organization who had at least 2 years’ experience. Qualitative content analysis was used, employing deductive and inductive coding. Five themes emerged: (a) workplace bias and discrimination, (b) microaggressions and workplace hostility compromising psychological safety and well-being, (c) absence of mentorship, sponsorship and exclusion from professional networks, (d) recommend development of mentorship and sponsorship programs and blind evaluation processes, and (e) recommend cultural competency training for leadership teams and diversity hiring. The findings of this study may contribute to positive social change by informing business leaders of challenges, and recommendations to cultivate the representation of Black women in executive leadership roles in the United States.
Recommended Citation
Hayward, Bre, "The Underrepresentation of Black Women in Executive Leadership Roles" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18877.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18877
