Date of Conferral

8-21-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

Michael Campo

Abstract

Member retention remains a challenge for African American sororities. Sorority leaders are concerned because declining retention may weaken organizational sustainability, leadership continuity, and member participation. Grounded in the transformational leadership theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to explore leadership strategies used by African American sorority leaders to enhance member engagement and retention. Participants included six current or former chapter presidents and regional leaders of African American sororities in the United States with successful experience in enhancing member retention. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of publicly available organizational materials. Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis process was used to analyze data, yielding four themes: relational engagement, leadership practices and organizational culture, structural and strategic retention approaches, and organizational support systems and member sustainability. A key recommendation is for sorority leaders to implement structured mentorship, consistent member check-ins, transparent communication practices, and flexible engagement opportunities to strengthen members’ sense of belonging and long-term participation. Implications for positive social change include the potential for sorority leaders to implement engagement and retention strategies that strengthen organizational sustainability, expand leadership development opportunities, and increase long-term participation among African American women.

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