Discussions surrounding the bias and discrimination against women in business have become paramount within the past few years. From wage gaps to a lack of female board members and leaders, various inequities have surfaced that are leading to calls for change. This is especially true of Black women in academia who constantly face the glass ceiling. The glass ceiling represents the metaphor for prejudice and discrimination that women may experience in the attainment of leadership positions. The glass ceiling is a barrier so subtle yet transparent and strong that it prevents women from moving up. There is a need to study the trajectory of Black females in academia specifically from faculty to leadership positions and their navigation of systemic roadblocks encountered along their quest to success. Black Female Leaders in Academia: Eliminating the Glass Ceiling With Efficacy, Exuberance, and Excellence features full-length chapters authored by leading experts offering an in-depth description of topics related to the trajectory of Black female leaders in higher education. It provides evidence-based practices to promote excellence among Black females in academic leadership positions. The book informs higher education top-level administration, policy experts, and aspiring leaders on how to best create, cultivate, and maintain a culture of Black female excellence in higher education settings. Covering topics such as barriers to career advancement, the power of transgression, and role stressors, this premier reference source is an essential resource for faculty and administrators of higher education, librarians, policymakers, students of higher education, researchers, and academicians.

This book introduces readers to process-based understandings of leadership, providing language and tools for engaging in the leadership process for all involved. This practical book was designed for college student leaders and educators or professionals who work with student leaders on college campuses. However, it is also accessible for high school students and graduate students to reflect on their identity, capacity, and efficacy as leaders. Based on their experiences as leadership educators, the authors offer grounding concepts of leadership and examples illustrating the complexity of culturally relevant leadership learning. Identity (who you are), capacity (your ability), and efficacy (what you do) are important for students to explore leadership development. These three concepts are core to this book, filling a gap in college student development literature by defining, illustrating, and questioning how they matter to leadership learning. Framing leadership as a journey, this resource offers key learning opportunities for students to engage with others through a range of contexts. Each chapter is organized with various features, engaging readers to get the most out of this book. Features include "call-in boxes" to prepare for learning and "pause for considerations" to apply to personal experiences. Chapters conclude with personal reflection questions, discussion questions, and activities to take leadership learning further. The features are designed to be accessible for utilization in classes, organizations, community work, groups, and individual reflection opportunities.