TDNet Discover

The purpose of this thematic study is to explore, examine, and unveil the disparate treatment of Black women in leadership positions. For the utility of this study, disparate treatment will be generally defined as actions that demonstrate inequity, injustice, and divergence compared to other demographics. The theory guiding this study is Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory on this topic, as it will be essential for understanding Black women's unique leadership experiences. This theory examines how multiple social identities, like race and gender, intersect to create unique conditions of oppression and privilege. The theoretical framework used in the study is a thematic analysis to identify and analyze the patterns within the data. The analysis of past and current literature supports the study. The design of the study is a qualitative thematic design. The primary research question for the study is: What factors contribute to the disparate treatment of Black women in leadership positions? The study is not bound to a specific setting, as the purpose is to include various fields and backgrounds. The sample consists of 15 Black women who hold or have held leadership positions and come from diverse fields. The data collection method involves obtaining secondary data from interviews with Black women leaders. The procedures used for the analysis include software to code and categorize data, followed by an intersectional framework to identify the interplay of race and gender in shaping the participants’ experiences. The results of the study reveal that Black women in leadership positions face significant barriers due to the intersection of race and gender. The participants’ experiences shed light on the impact of systemic inequities despite organizational efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.