CUES 127: All Is Not Yet Rosy for Top Black Female Leaders

In the latest episode of the CUES Podcast, Kimberly Wright says she feels like she has made it past the proverbial glass ceiling that’s long been a metaphor for a system that holds women back from rising to top leadership roles.

Senior vice president and executive director of the American Heart Association in Atlanta, Wright says, “I feel like I have busted through the glass ceiling in my current position. And I will say that I have opened it up for others.”

But all is not rosy.

“Now, whether or not they patch up the ceiling again afterwards? I don't know. They might,” Wright adds. “They may not like my style of kicking through or busting through the glass ceiling. But I think I have. Hopefully, it stays open.”

Wright and a second guest on the show, Andrea Brown, share the stories of how they have become top Black female leaders and what helped them along the way. Brown is executive director of the Black Mental Health Alliance for Education and Consultation in Baltimore.

Both women say that while they have arrived, the playing field at the top is far from level.

“Whether that's on our boards, whether that's in our board rooms, whether that's in our cubicles, some of what we see (is unfair), and so no, the playing field has not been leveled,” Brown says. Plus, Black women face racism as well as sexism, Wright and Brown point out. Both say they have to be two or three times as good as their white male counterparts.

Brown and Wright also say the time is now to take action to keep opportunities open for female leaders of color and to work on leveling the playing field. Their suggestions include having a think tank to make recommendations and setting up great coaching programs.

“We’ve got to move with intentionality, and we’ve got to be quick,” Brown says.

The two say things have improved for Black female leaders who aspire to top roles, but still have a way eye on the situation.

“I just hope that I don't end up being the token and this isn't a fad or a phase,” Wright says.

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