African American Female Faculty in Predominantly White Graduate Schools of Social Work

Abstract

This study of African American female faculty in predominantly White schools of social work was designed to examine the unique experience of these faculties. The examination also aimed to develop a better understanding of the challenges and the experiences of these faculty members. This exploratory study sampled African American female social work faculty from predominantly White schools of social work in the United States. The authors were specifically interested in identifying psychosocial factors that undergird the nature of the experiences of these women. The special challenges of these women are discussed from the framework of Kanter's theory of proportional representation and the tenets of relational/cultural theory.

Keywords:

• African American
• female faculty
• schools of social work
• Kanter's theory
• relational/cultural theory