Black Women Superintendents: The Most Disrespected Educator in America

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 3:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Equity Leadership: Equity Networks and Women Leaders of Color

Abstract

This paper explores the experiences of Black women in the superintendency, who encounter systemic inequities, racialized and gendered biases, and persistent struggles for respect and recognition. An intersectional framework is used to examine how race and gender intersect to shape the leadership journeys of Black women superintendents. Despite their growing presence in educational leadership, their voices remain marginalized in scholarship. Recruitment and retention practices maintain exclusionary systems limiting Black women’s access to and longevity within the superintendency. Drawing on primarily qualitative research, the paper highlights the resilience of Black women leaders while exposing the heightened scrutiny and lack of institutional support they endure. It also explores the transformative role of mentorship, sponsorship, and affinity networks in advancing their leadership trajectories.

Authors

• Gregory C. Hutchings, Howard University

• Danita Y. Ishibashi, The College of New Jersey