Black women at the intersection of educational leadership in the United States

What is it about?

This paper aims to investigate how intersectionality shapes the leadership practice of Black women across K–20 education in the United States. Using a phenomenological design guided by COREQ standards, the authors analyze interviews to illuminate four themes: pathways to leadership, intersectional sensemaking, social-justice praxis and institutional conditions. The purpose is to move beyond description by linking lived experience to theory and actionable policy. The authors articulate implications for leadership preparation, organizational practice and equity policy – advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Findings offer transferable guidance for cultivating inclusive cultures, mentoring pipelines and bias-aware, accountability-oriented evaluation in education and broader management contexts.

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Why is it important?

Practical implications Practical implications center on actionable strategies to advance equity in leadership. Institutions should formalize mentorship and sponsorship pipelines, create transparent hiring and evaluation rubrics, and embed bias-mitigation protocols in recruitment, promotion and performance review processes. Leaders and organizations can strengthen EDI initiatives by moving beyond symbolic intent to measurable outcomes, ensuring accountability. Training and professional development should emphasize intersectional awareness, allyship and inclusive decision-making. Findings encourage policymakers and practitioners to design systems that recognize the additional labor and contributions of Black women leaders, while cultivating organizational cultures that value equity, collaboration and long-term leadership sustainability. Social implications Social implications highlight how intersectional leadership advances equity beyond organizational boundaries. By addressing racialized-gendered bias, Black women leaders foster inclusive educational and community cultures, strengthening social cohesion and opportunity structures. Their praxis – mentoring, advocacy and coalition-building – creates pipelines for underrepresented groups, broadening access to leadership. Findings underscore the societal value of allyship, antiracist policy and accountability frameworks in dismantling systemic barriers. Advancing Black women’s leadership contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5 and SDG 10) by promoting gender equality and reducing inequalities, ultimately enhancing democratic participation, civic trust and community well-being across diverse sectors.

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