Removing the Mask: Barriers Black Women Face in Leadership

December 3, 2025

Removing the Mask: Barriers Black Women Face in Leadership

LaTaunja V. Johnson | 2024

Abstract

How do the intersecting factors of double marginalization experienced by Black women, along with the complexities of intersectionality, impede their capacity to lead and serve in leadership roles effectively? Over the centuries, black women have achieved significant progress in ascending the leadership hierarchy and breaking through the metaphorical “Glass Ceiling.” While the strides of black women in leadership warrant celebration, the revelry is tempered by the unveiling of the mounting challenges confronting black women in leadership roles. There are evident variations of stereotypes for black women leaders, ranging from being unfairly labeled as embodying the traits of an “angry black woman” to confronting challenges across diverse leadership facets. These obstacles involve navigating stereotypes portraying them as excessively assertive, overly vocal, emotionally charged, and aggressive, all while facing an unjust onslaught of gender bias and racism. Their dual marginalization status, along with the complexities of intersectionality, coupled with encountering and dealing with stereotypes, microaggressions, and other forms of discrimination, severely impedes their capacity to lead with effectiveness and confidence.

Keywords: double marginalization, intersectionality, Black women leaders, leadership challenges, glass ceiling, stereotypes, angry Black woman, assertiveness stereotype, gender bias, racism in leadership, microaggressions, discrimination, strong Black woman

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