Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School
College for Community Health
Department/Program
Family Science and Human Development
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Brad van Eeden-Moorefield
Committee Member
Jason Williams
Committee Member
Pearl Stewart
Abstract
This research defined and explored the lived experiences of Black women in leadership and the role of systemic racism on the performance of the strong Black woman stereotype in the workplace. Grounded in Black feminist thought, epistemology, and phenomenology, this qualitative study seeks to deepen understanding the lived experiences of Black women. This manuscript-style dissertation comprises two studies: Study 1 consisted of nine participants who contributed through Sista Circle focus groups and Study 2 consisted of fourteen participants who engaged in semi-structured interviews to defined and examined their workplace experiences. Situated at the intersection of race and gender, this research contributes to the existing literature to help organizational practices, workplaces culture, and policy, to promote systematic change and create spaces to enable Black women to exist as their authentic selves and redefine strength and leadership on their own terms.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Davis, Krystle M., "The Cost of Strength: Navigating Systemic Racism and the Strong Black Woman Stereotype in the Workplace" (2025). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1598.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1598