Breaking Barriers: The Hidden Struggles of Black Women in Academia

Black women in academia face significant challenges that go beyond the well-known glass ceiling. They often find themselves on a glass cliff, where they are placed in leadership roles with little support and high expectations. This was evident in the case of Claudine Gay, who became the first Black president of Harvard University in 2024 but resigned due to relentless attacks on her character and expertise. The systemic issues that Black women face in higher education are not new. Despite being praised for their contributions to diversity, they continue to encounter barriers that hinder their advancement. These barriers include biased promotion criteria, hypervisibility without authority, and the burden of invisible labor, such as mentoring and diversity work, which often goes unrecognized and uncompensated. The consequences of these systemic inequities are far-reaching. Black women face economic disparities, with substantial lost earnings over their careers due to unequal pay. Moreover, the lack of support and resources in leadership roles can lead to burnout, health issues, and even tragic outcomes, as seen in the case of Antoinette Candia-Bailey, who died by suicide in 2024 due to harassment and discrimination.The problem is not limited to academia. Black women in corporate and public-sector roles also face similar challenges, including underrepresentation in high-level positions and the expectation to solve crises with limited resources. This systemic exclusion has economic and innovation costs, as institutions lose out on the expertise and leadership of Black women. To address these issues, institutions need to take concrete steps. This includes documenting and addressing patterns of bias, creating intentional leadership development pathways, and recognizing and compensating invisible labor. Moreover, they must provide holistic health support and cultivate networks that support junior employees. Ultimately, the goal should be to create an environment where Black women can thrive, not just survive. As Kia Caldwell, a professor of African and African American Studies, notes, institutions must decide whether they value Black women as people, not just as positions.