Modernizing the Approach to Mentoring for African American Women in the Federal Government

The federal government has implemented laws, policies, and programs to protect and promote women and minorities. African American women, having both gender and racial disadvantages, are not prototypical of either women or minorities, in general, which presents the unique challenge of “double jeopardy.” Framed by Black feminist thought, this phenomenological study explored how intersectionality shaped African American women’s perceptions about gender-based mentoring. Data were collected through focus groups. Results centered on the (a) significance of intersectionality, (b) difficulty with mentoring relationships, and (c) organizational barriers. Recommendations had implications for social change regarding inclusion and equity, and employee and organizational development.

Recommended Citation

Pierce, F. D. (2020, October 1-2). Modernizing the approach to mentoring for African American women in the federal government [Poster presentation]. Walden University Research Conference 2020 (online). https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/researchconference/2020/posters/36/