Leaders of Last Resort: Black School Principals in Predominantly White School Districts

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: Leading in an Time of Neoliberalism and Resurgent White Supremacy

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study of Black school leaders in predominantly White school districts. The majority of the literature about Black school principals focuses on urban contexts in predominantly Black school districts. Eight (8) Black school leaders participated in in-depth interviews about their experiences. Three main themes emerged from the analysis of the narrative data. The three themes were: dealing with everyday racism/racial microaggressions, lack of resources, and promoting social justice leadership. The findings indicate that Black school leaders are often the ‘leaders of last resort’ in predominantly White school districts. They are provided with little support to effect changes that would lead to more equitable outcomes for the minority students in their schools.

Authors

• Alana C. Butler, Queen's University

• Andrew Bruce Campbell, University of Toronto