Resisting Erasure: The Urgency of Authenticity and the Violence of Workplace Assimilation

Date of Award

8-15-2026

Degree Name

Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations

Department

Department of Educational Administration

Advisor/Chair

Ricardo Garcia

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative single-case study was to gain a deeper understanding of how assimilation influences Black women’s ability to express authenticity and pursue self-actualization in the workplace. Centering the lived experiences of Black women was essential to this inquiry. The study focused on one Black woman leader, referred to as Brandy, and was supplemented by a focus group of Black women leaders and the researcher's observations. Data were analyzed using a thematic approach grounded in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Findings revealed that assimilation pressures significantly impacted participants’ sense of psychological safety, belonging, and esteem, ultimately influencing their ability to reach self-actualization. The study highlights the need for organizational cultures that support authenticity, inclusion, and equitable leadership development for Black women.

Keywords

African Americans, Black Studies, Educational Leadership, Organization Theory, Pedagogy, Womens Studies

Rights Statement

Copyright 2026, author

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