Breaking Barriers: The Hidden Struggles of Black Women in Academia

Black women in academia face significant challenges that go beyond the well-known glass ceiling. They often find themselves on a glass cliff, where they are placed in leadership roles with little support and high expectations. This was evident in the case of Claudine Gay, who became the first Black president of Harvard University in 2024 but resigned due to relentless attacks on her character and expertise.

Systemic Issues in Higher Education

The systemic issues that Black women face in higher education are not new. Despite being praised for their contributions to diversity, they continue to encounter barriers that hinder their advancement. These barriers include:

• Biased promotion criteria
• Hypervisibility without authority
• The burden of invisible labor, such as mentoring and diversity work, which often goes unrecognized and uncompensated.

Consequences of Systemic Inequities

The consequences of these systemic inequities are far-reaching. Black women face:

• Economic disparities, with substantial lost earnings over their careers due to unequal pay.
• Lack of support and resources in leadership roles, leading to burnout, health issues, and even tragic outcomes, as seen in the case of Antoinette Candia-Bailey, who died by suicide in 2024 due to harassment and discrimination.

Broader Implications

The problem is not limited to academia. Black women in corporate and public-sector roles also face similar challenges, including:

• Underrepresentation in high-level positions
• The expectation to solve crises with limited resources

This systemic exclusion has economic and innovation costs, as institutions lose out on the expertise and leadership of Black women.

Steps Towards Change

To address these issues, institutions need to take concrete steps:

• Document and address patterns of bias
• Create intentional leadership development pathways
• Recognize and compensate invisible labor
• Provide holistic health support
• Cultivate networks that support junior employees

The Ultimate Goal

Ultimately, the goal should be to create an environment where Black women can thrive, not just survive. As Kia Caldwell, a professor of African and African American Studies, notes, institutions must decide whether they value Black women as people, not just as positions.