CONNECT . MOTIVATE . INSPIRE .
WHY WE NEED TO SUPPORT BLACK WOMEN IN THE HBCU PRESIDENCY
BY DR. MARYBETH GASMAN
W e know that having role models of the same race and gender is powerful. Research supports this notion. Keeping this idea in mind, as of 2021, 64% of students at HBCUs are women. These women stand to benefit from seeing Black women in the presidency of their colleges; they are more likely to see themselves in leadership roles in the future
because they see the possibilities in front of them. Men also benefit from educational experiences led by a Black woman president as they witness the diversity of leadership styles. Beyond serving as role models, having Black women in the presidency of HBCUs reflects the gender diversity at these institutions. It sends an important
message to women students that they are not only seen but heard and their voices matter. The presence of Black women in leadership roles at HBCUs sends a message to society that these institutions are just as committed to fostering gender equity as they have been to support racial equity.
Black women bring diversity of thought
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