The Real Meaning of Success for African American/Black Women in Leadership
Welcome to the first part of our exciting two-part series, Transforming Limitations into Opportunities. In this series, we’re diving deep into the remarkable journeys of women who’ve turned life’s most challenging obstacles into stepping stones for success. Today, we’ll explore powerful stories of African American/Black women who’ve faced seemingly insurmountable barriers yet emerged victorious—stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.
When we think of success in leadership, especially for African American/Black women, the typical image that comes to mind often centers around breaking barriers and achieving top positions in executive suites across the country. Historically, the journey of women like Madame C.J. Walker and Mary McLeod Bethune laid the foundation for African American/Black women to step into leadership roles, despite incredible odds. And while today’s statistics continue to show that women of color remain underrepresented at senior levels, African American/Black women have been making waves in leadership for decades.
Yet, as I conducted the interviews for my dissertation, a surprising theme emerged. For many of the five African American/Black women executives I interviewed, the true definition of success was not what I originally expected. While these women had shattered ceilings and reached high-level leadership roles in their industries, they didn’t define their success solely by the titles they held. Instead, their journeys, their relationships, and the impact they made along the way were the true markers of success.
Success Beyond the Title
The focus of this study was initially on how these women managed to navigate racial and gender obstacles to reach senior leadership roles. We often associate their triumphs with beating the odds in a workforce that frequently undervalues African American/Black women. However, during the interviews, it became clear that their personal definitions of success went beyond simply attaining these coveted positions.
For example, Participant 1 emphasized that success for her was about building meaningful relationships. “Getting my name out there, building rapport, and getting to know them,” she shared, referring to her strategy for leadership. She stressed that while professional experience and expertise were essential, the foundation of her leadership success was the connections she formed with others. Relationships weren’t just a tool for advancement; they were the cornerstone of her leadership.
Similarly, Participant 3 explained that leadership was about service. She built trust with her team by caring deeply about their well-being and helping them buy into her vision. For her, leadership success wasn’t just about meeting goals, but about fostering a culture of trust and unity.
These narratives align with what many African American/Black women in leadership understand—that meaningful leadership comes from more than achieving a title. As Participant 4 described, “The most precious resource we have is our human capital.” Her focus on managing, caring for, and developing her team became the true indicator of her success, not just the list of her personal accomplishments.
Inspiring Journeys of Black Women in Leadership
These reflections are mirrored in the powerful real-life stories of African American/Black women who have achieved remarkable success while overcoming tremendous obstacles. Let’s explore eight such women, who’ve faced adversity, yet found strength and purpose in their challenges.
- Cynthia Marshall, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, is a shining example of resilience and leadership. Coming from a modest upbringing and facing the early loss of her father, Cynthia navigated racial and gender biases in corporate America. Her groundbreaking leadership came to the forefront when she led a culture transformation at the Dallas Mavericks, ensuring diversity, inclusion, and zero tolerance for sexual harassment. Marshall turned her challenges into opportunities by staying true to her values, fostering open communication, and maintaining a commitment to social justice.
- Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of TIAA, grew up in a family with financial struggles, which deeply influenced her career in financial services. She overcame the challenges of being a Black woman in a male-dominated industry by using her personal story to fuel her passion for closing the racial wealth gap. Thasunda’s leadership is grounded in her authenticity and focus on impact, as she ensures that financial inclusion remains central to her mission.
- Roz Brewer, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, is one of the few Black women leading a Fortune 500 company. Brewer faced significant challenges in a corporate world that didn’t always welcome her voice. Yet, her journey through leadership roles at Sam’s Club, Starbucks, and Walgreens showcases her persistence and innovation. Brewer sees adversity as a space to grow, and she uses obstacles as opportunities to make change. Her focus on making companies more inclusive and socially responsible is a testament to her leadership style.
- Lisa Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives at Apple, broke barriers in the environmental policy world. As a Black woman in science and technology fields, she faced stereotypes and biases early in her career. Jackson turned those challenges into motivation, advocating for sustainability and social responsibility at one of the world’s most influential tech companies. Her leadership proves that the environment and equity are not separate, but interconnected issues.
- Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, created a space where young African American/Black girls can learn to code and succeed in technology—a field notorious for its lack of diversity. Bryant faced gender and racial challenges throughout her own career in tech, but instead of letting it hold her back, she launched a movement that would empower future generations of Black women to enter STEM fields with confidence and support. Bryant’s success is measured not just in her own achievements but in the success of those she’s helped.
- Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and CEO of the ActOne Group, overcame poverty and discrimination to build one of the largest workforce management companies in the country. As a Black woman entrepreneur, she encountered significant barriers to entry in business, but through resilience and unwavering belief in her abilities, she not only grew her company but also became an advocate for minority and women-owned businesses. Her story teaches that the path to success is often paved with personal sacrifices and a relentless work ethic.
- Shonda Rhimes, television producer, screenwriter, and showrunner, revolutionized television with her storytelling. Rhimes faced obstacles in an industry that often underrepresented Black women, but she used those challenges as a platform to produce culturally significant work. Through shows like Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy, Rhimes showed that adversity in the form of rejection and skepticism could be a tool for creating lasting cultural shifts in how women and people of color are portrayed on screen.
- Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, took on the healthcare disparities that were magnified during the COVID-19 pandemic. She encountered challenges when trying to provide testing and vaccination access to underserved Black communities. Yet, Dr. Stanford turned those challenges into action, mobilizing Black healthcare professionals to serve their communities and advocate for equitable healthcare.
Impact Over Position
For these women, as with the dissertation participants, success wasn’t just about reaching the top—it was about using their platforms to impact others. Participant 5 emphasized this by sharing her desire to improve people’s lives as a core measure of her success. She attributed her drive to make a difference to her upbringing and focused on the long-lasting impact she wanted to leave.
Similarly, Participant 2 saw leadership as a collective effort, where her success was intertwined with the success of her team. Like many of the women we’ve explored, she believed that true leadership meant fostering environments where everyone could thrive and grow.
What we learn from these women’s stories is that leadership, especially for African American/Black women, is about more than just breaking through the barriers of race and gender to reach the top. The true essence of success lies in the relationships they build, the impact they have, and the lives they touch.
Key Takeaways:
- Build Authentic Relationships: Success isn’t just about what you accomplish, but who you connect with and how you foster those connections. Like Participant 1 and Cynthia Marshall, building strong relationships based on trust and respect can be a powerful tool for leadership.
- Embrace Service: As Participant 3 and women like Lisa Jackson and Thasunda Brown Duckett demonstrate, leadership that centers around service to others creates more sustainable and meaningful success.
- See Challenges as Opportunities: The stories of Roz Brewer, Kimberly Bryant, and Shonda Rhimes remind us that adversity can be a catalyst for change and innovation.
- Focus on Impact: Leadership is about leaving a lasting impression. Whether it’s through social change, corporate transformation, or community service, your success is measured by how you improve the lives of those around you.
As we redefine success for the next generation, it’s essential to remember that true success goes beyond titles. It’s about how we overcome challenges, who we help along the way, and the legacy we leave behind.
Join the conversation on Facebook
We’re just getting started! If you found inspiration in these stories and want to dive deeper into practical strategies for turning challenges into opportunities, join The Leading Lady Collective on Facebook. It’s a space where like-minded women come together to share, support, and grow in their leadership journeys. You don’t have to navigate this alone—connect with women who are facing the same challenges and creating pathways to success.
Sneak Peek: Transforming Limitations into Opportunities: Part 2–Practical Strategies for Turning Challenges into Opportunities
In the next part of our series, we’ll shift from inspiration to action. Join us as we explore practical, actionable strategies that will help you convert setbacks into growth and transform your leadership journey. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or creating change in your community, this post will equip you with the tools you need to make your leadership vision a reality.