Graduation Term

Fall 2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Educational Administration and Foundations: Educational Administration

Committee Chair

Rudo Tsemunhu

Committee Member

Lydia Kyei-Blankson

Committee Member

Laura Kalmes

Abstract

Black women are vital contributors and innovators within the American workforce yet remain underrepresented in executive leadership roles in most employment settings. Despite the contributions Black women have made, our continued marginalization is a direct result of systemic oppression and institutionalized racism, which persistently deny Black women opportunities for leadership ascension (Beckwith et al., 2016; Collins, 2000; Crenshaw et al., 1995; Wilkerson, 2020). This qualitative narrative approach explores the stories of Black women leaders employed in the child welfare and foster care system, illuminating the challenges, including systemic barriers, limited mentorship, and inequitable career advancement practices. This study examines the strategies employed by these leaders to navigate and contest oppressive structures, revealing significant implications for equitable hiring and promotion practices, diverse leadership representation, and dismantling systems of oppression. This study underscores the mandate for systemic change to create environments where Black women leaders can thrive and fully contribute their expertise and perspectives in empathetic foster care organizations. The four key findings from this study were (a) systemic barriers, (b) survival strategies, (c) mentorship, and (d) the proposal of the glass cliff push phenomenon.

Access Type

Dissertation-Open Access

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Social Work Commons

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