A Qualitative Study of Black Women Superintendents: Inhibiting Factors, Enabling Factors, and Perceptions

There is growing concern about the pervasive underrepresentation of qualified Black women superintendents. despite women significantly outnumbering men in public education. This study sought to shed light on the lived experiences of Black women superintendents in North Carolina. The purpose of this basic interpretive qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the perceptions about inhibiting and enabling factors Black women leaders faced when ascending to the superintendency and while serving in the role. Specifically, this study sought to contribute to the existing body of scholarly work and inform aspiring Black women superintendents about the experiences of Black women superintendents in the role, as this area has not been explored. By considering the intersectionality of race and gender for Black women superintendents, the study findings were grounded in the theoretic frameworks of Black feminist theory and the glass ceiling effect. These informed current practices related to hiring superintendents to create career advancement opportunities for aspiring Black women leaders. Results of the study from semi-structured individual interviews with five Black women superintendents in North Carolina indicated a substantial discrepancy between the number of women, particularly Black women, and men in the superintendent’s role. Implications included the need for career pathway training for prospective Black women superintendents, further research on the topic, new school board policies related to fair hiring and recruitment, and preventing suppression of opportunities by White power structures.