THE UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF BLACK WOMEN IN CORPORATE AMERICA
The Unique Experience of Black Women in Corporate America by Chelsea Carter, EdD, NCC Women do not have a universal experience in Corporate America. The notion that all women are challenged with breaking the glass ceiling has been debunked. For Black women, the ceiling is not made of glass, but of dense, impermeable, nearly unbreakable, concrete. Breaking through the concrete ceiling is not impossible, but Black women cannot permeate the heavy barrier alone. Black women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, specifically engineering, face additional obstacles. In a 2019 qualitative study, the lived experiences of five Black female executive-level leaders with engineering degrees were examined. Three themes emerged from the study: Simultaneous Navigation of Complex Constructs, Concurrent Experience of the Past, Present, and Future, and Mental Strength and Inner Drive. DR. CHELSEA CARTER – is a National Certified Counselor, Leadership SME, and Human Resources Professional with over 20 years of experience in rallying teams, driving results, and building bridges.
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CAREER PROGRESSION FOR BLACK WOMEN IN CORPORATE AMERICA
has remained unchanged for decades. Though Black female professionals have been fairly represented in entry to middle level management there has been limited access to executive level positions, therefore, Black women continue to be underrepresented in executive levels in Corporate America.1 From 2002 to 2017, the number of Black female corporate officers in Fortune 100 companies increased, 0.02 percent, from 1.1 percent2 to 1.3 percent3. The ability for Black women to ascend to roles of increasing responsibility appears to be significantly hindered. What is happening and how can this systematic recurrence be disrupted to allow for promotional opportunities? 69
