Date of Conferral

8-20-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Hamid Kazeroony

Abstract

Black American women’s marginalization in leadership roles, including in human resources (HR), remains a significant concern in U.S. workplaces. Organizations need to understand this concern as a leading indicator of systemic workplace barriers that may restrict opportunities for leadership advancement for Black American women and hinder organizational diversity efforts. The specific research problem was the limited understanding of the lived experiences of Black American women who face structural barriers to advancement in HR leadership positions. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black American women in HR leadership positions. This study was grounded in the conceptual frameworks of critical race theory, Black feminist thought, and intersectionality. Eleven Black American women HR leaders participated in semistructured interviews, and data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four themes emerged: (a) challenges facing Black women leaders in HR, (b) resilience in the face of challenges, (c) leadership style, and (d) advice to other Black women in HR leadership positions. Findings show participants frequently confronted racialized and gendered inequities while simultaneously serving as advocates for fairness and inclusion. Recommendations include strengthening mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development that are tailored to Black women. Implications for tangible social impact include the potential for organizations to implement equitable hiring, promotion, and evaluation practices that mitigate unconscious bias and expand leadership pathways for individuals with intersectional identities across diverse organizational contexts and sectors.

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