Senior White Leaders Sponsorship and Support of Black Executives in Corporate America
Open Access DepositedThe Voices That Need To Be Heard
Senior White Leaders Sponsorship and Support of Black Executives in Corporate America Black people comprise approximately 13% of the U.S. population, yet less than 20 Black executives have led 500 Fortune companies (Posner, 2020). According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2018, Black professionals comprised 3.3% of workers in the Executive and Senior Leader Officials and Managers categories (EEOC, 2019). Diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts and training have increased over the years across many public and private institutions
Abstract of DissertationThe Voices That Need To Be Heard
Posner, 2020). Black professionals are nearly four times as likely as White professionals to say they have experienced racial prejudice. Whites are 63% more likely than professionals of color to have a sponsor to aid their success (Hewlett et al., 2012). After the violent deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd, U.S. Corporations responded to the protests and concerns raised by employees and communities they serve by publicly acknowledging the need for social justice reform, committing to the call for change and pledging financial support to increase internal diversity and inclusion efforts (Gelles, 2020
however, the progress envisioned is not yielding the desired results. Black Fortune 500 CEOs decreased from six to four between 2012 to 2020 and increased to only eight in 2023 (McGlaughlin, 2023
Ally, Black Executive, Corporate America, Critical Race Theory, Mentor, Sponsor, Protégé’, White Male Senior Leader
Guynn & Fraser, 2022). While empirical research highlights the underrepresentation and experiences of black professionals in corporate America, there is limited research regarding the experiences of senior-level white male leaders who have sponsored black executives. This research study explored the phenomenon of White male senior-level leaders who have supported the career advancements of Black professionals into the executive ranks in corporate America. The question guiding this research is What are the experiences of White male senior-level leaders in corporate America who have supported the career advancement of Black executives? This exploratory basic qualitative research study focused on a sample population of 10 White male senior-level leaders in corporate America and their experiences providing career advancement support to executive-level Black professionals. Critical Race Theory (CRT) served as the conceptual framework for this exploratory research study and illuminated the experiences of White male senior-level leaders in sponsoring black professionals to the executive ranks in corporate America. Scholars and activists leverage CRT to study and transform the relationship of race, racism, and power (Delgado & Stefancic, 2017). The findings in this exploratory study revealed that sponsorship by White male senior level leaders played a significant role in the career advancement of Black executives. Also, findings indicated that White male senior-level leaders experienced their support of Black executives as an expression of their leadership identity. Key Words
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