Black male presidents of historically Black colleges and universities: A life narrative study

There is a gap in the academic literature on Black male identity formation, in relation to, Black male leadership development. This dissertation attempts to address a portion of that gap by examining the life narratives of Black males with at least a decade of experience leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The central inquiry guiding this examination asks: What identity and leadership qualities of three Black males emerge as conducive to acquiring and sustaining their positions as Presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities? This original research uses qualitative life narrative methodology, including in-depth life narrative interviews, focused observations, and critical reviews of documents linked to the three participants. An analysis of their lives provides evidence to support a multi-faceted explanation of how these men used functions of identity and concepts of dynamic leadership to navigate within society. The data found these men enacted various aspects of Black identity including (a) bridging, bi- or multi-cultural competence; (b) individualism, youth leadership experience; (c) buffering, ability to translate challenges into opportunities; and (d) bonding, experience building Black organizations and programs. Secondly, this analysis provides a dynamic understanding of Black leaders who operate between accommodation and protest views of leadership. Moreover, the findings provide compelling insights into the development of Black male identities in relation to Black leadership development toward the collective identification of Blackness.