African American Superintendents’ Experiences with a Midwest State’s Hiring Practices

Abstract

This study examined the lived experiences of African American male superintendents with a Midwestern state’s superintendent hiring practices. While looking through the lens of Critical Race Theory (CRT), it reveals how understanding their stories can help in several ways. First, this study can help school boards and search agents realize perceptions and possible unconscious biases and stereotypes that may influence their decisions to recommend, interview, and/or hire qualified African American male superintendent candidates. Additionally, this study seeks to help superintendent preparation programs and superintendent mentors provide beneficial information to aspiring African American male superintendent candidates. A tertiary goal of this study is to benefit the state’s educational leadership organizations, groups, and individuals by providing insight from these highly capable and current practitioners. Finally, this study will inform African American male superintendent candidates on what to expect, and how to prepare, when entering the superintendent-hiring arena.