Why People Lead and Others Follow: The Black Perspective

ABSTRACT

There are differences between Black and White leadership. Black leaders have overcome many obstacles simply to be given the opportunity to lead, often without the same tools and opportunities as their White counterparts. The evolution of Black leaders, whether called colored, Negro, Afro-American, Black, or BIPOC (Blacks, Indigenous, and People of Color) or Other speaks to how language and people have evolved to coalesce around issues of equality, equity, oppression, and polarization. This essay presents some leadership styles and provides some background on types of Black leaders and how they lead. From political leaders, to thought leaders, to religious leaders, the essay offers some reasons for Blacks’ psychological thirst for healing and relief from the cumulative effects over time of persistently experiencing racism, and the retriggering of psychological trauma of slavery. The relentless battle of physiological pain and the psychological strain and the energy associated with racism can be overwhelming. Some Black leaders offer a “we-ness” of intrapsychic relief that provides a vision of hope for many in the African American community. The essay concludes with positions that recent Black leaders have taken and what the future of Black leadership may be.

KEYWORDS:

• Black
• leadership
• development
• African American
• political thought leaders

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert L. Cosby

Robert L. Cosby, Ph.D., MSW, is Assistant Dean of Administration, Associate Professor, and Director of Howard University Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center at Howard University School of Social Work.

Janice Berry Edwards

Janice Berry Edwards, Ph.D., LICSW, LCSW-C, ACSW, BCD, is Associate Professor at Howard University School of Social Work.