Description
The scope of this study was to examine how racial microaggressions influence the career experiences and trajectories of Black women senior and executive administrators at California community colleges. Critical race theory, Black feminist thought, and microaggression theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. A constructivist grounded theory methodological design was used to answer four research questions: (a) What are the salient experiences of Black women senior and executive administrators who experience racial microaggressions at California community colleges?, (b) How do racial microaggressions influence the experiences and career trajectories of Black women senior and executive administrators at California community colleges?, (c) What strategies are employed by Black women senior and executive administrators at California community colleges to overcome racial microaggressions to ensure career advancement and success?, and (d) How do support networks impact the successful retention of Black women confronted with racial microaggressions within the California Community Colleges system? The study employed qualitative semi-structured interviews with 15 Black women senior and executive administrators at California community colleges. Four overarching themes emerged: (a) “Here We Go Again”—Prevalent lifelong experiences of racial microaggressions, (b) “This is Not for the Meek”—Burden bearing, (c) “Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner”—Resulting impact and influence of racial microaggressions, and (d) “I’m Prayed Up”—Coping strategies. This study contributes to the limited body of research on Black women administrators in postsecondary education and how racial microaggressions influence their career experiences and trajectories.
