Title
The Me You Do Not See: The Experiences of African American Administrators and Double Consciousness
Date of Award
1-1-2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.
College
College of Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Julie M. McCann, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
La' Toya Thomas-Dixon, Ed.D.
Third Advisor
Laurie Wellner, Ed.D.
Abstract
This qualitative study focused on the experiences of 10 African American professionals, five males and five females, in educational administrative positions. The purpose of the study was to show how African American educational administrators perceived double consciousness and describe how they navigated or negotiated their race when working with Caucasian stakeholders in educational organizations. The administrators participated in two interviews, answering questions on race, socioeconomic status, differences between Black and White leadership and lifestyles, culture, and double consciousness. The theoretical framework of this study included elements of critical race theory and culturally sensitive research approaches to support a narrative inquiry. Each administrator participated in two in-depth interviews at locations chosen by the participants. Each interview session was recorded and transcribed. Four major findings of the study indicated that dualism was innate and internalized, as Black administrators, the participants faced five major challenges, and the participants created a sense of self personally, professionally, and as educational leaders. A synthesis of the findings revealed that the African American administrators functioned within one or more level of duality, which the researcher coined as layers of duality.