Portraits of Black girls: reflections on schooling and leadership of a Black woman principal in an age of adultism

ABSTRACT

This study explores Black girls’ perceptions of school and the leadership of a Black woman principal. Portraiture as the methodology was used to understand the nuances of education by interviewing and observing six Black girls. In this article, Black girls are situated as experts and co-constructors of knowledge on what it means to be a Black girl in a public school. Findings from this study focus on principal tough love, negative teacher talk, and disengagement as problem-solving.

KEYWORDS:

• Black girlhood
• Black feminism
• portraiture
• principal leadership

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributor

Dr. Patrice A. McClellan is a race scholar, leadership coach, and change agent. She uses her study of race to manage doctoral programs in higher education as well as dismantling organizational systems grounded in systemic racism through executive leadership coaching. Dr. McClellan's work focuses on interrogating the impact of power and privilege in leadership practice in organizations and schools.