"A Raisin in a Box": The Experiences of Racialized Black Males in Leadership Roles in the Non-Profit Sector in Toronto, Canada
type: CreativeWork
description: Problem The marginalization of Black and other racialized bodies (people of colour) has led to the position of a leader becoming so synonymous with Whiteness that it is normalized and naturalized; and worse, there has been limited analysis about why this is so. There is even less analysis of the experiences of the few people of colour who occupy leadership roles in organizations (Berkshire, 2008; Bradshaw et al., 2009; Mills et al., 2010; Nkomo, 2011; Ospina & Foldy, 2009). Astonishingly, organizations in diverse communities also have exiguous conversations about such salient issues like race and gender even though there is considerable evidence that it is White bodies that dominate organizational power structures (Block & Galabuzi, 2011; Johnson, 2012; Knight et al., 2003; Mills et al., 2010). As Hepburn (2015) states, "let's be blunt: Greater Toronto [Ontario, Canada] is one of most diverse-rich areas in the world, yet it sure isn't reflected in its leadership." -- Methodology This chapter provides a robust presentation of the research methodology employed in this study. It encompasses a subject recruitment and selection process and an effective analysis and presentation of the data. To investigate the experiences of Black male leaders in Toronto's non-profit sector, I have utilized the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method, guided by Hycner's (1985) approach, and semi-structured interviews. Together, these approaches capture rich and relevant data. As Kvale (1996) argues, interviews are merely structured conversations with a purpose. IPA provides the best opportunity to analyze the lived experience of Black male leaders and gain insightful knowledge. Results The research findings suggest that the men interviewed have experienced various challenges in leadership positions within Toronto's non-profit sector. These challenges include navigating anti-Black Racism, code-switching, performativity, and mental health issues. To cope with these challenges,…
abstract: Problem The marginalization of Black and other racialized bodies (people of colour) has led to the position of a leader becoming so synonymous with Whiteness that it is normalized and naturalized; and worse, there has been limited analysis about why this is so. There is even less analysis of the experiences of the few people of colour who occupy leadership roles in organizations (Berkshire, 2008; Bradshaw et al., 2009; Mills et al., 2010; Nkomo, 2011; Ospina & Foldy, 2009). Astonishingly, organizations in diverse communities also have exiguous conversations about such salient issues like race and gender even though there is considerable evidence that it is White bodies that dominate organizational power structures (Block & Galabuzi, 2011; Johnson, 2012; Knight et al., 2003; Mills et al., 2010). As Hepburn (2015) states, "let's be blunt: Greater Toronto [Ontario, Canada] is one of most diverse-rich areas in the world, yet it sure isn't reflected in its leadership." -- Methodology This chapter provides a robust presentation of the research methodology employed in this study. It encompasses a subject recruitment and selection process and an effective analysis and presentation of the data. To investigate the experiences of Black male leaders in Toronto's non-profit sector, I have utilized the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method, guided by Hycner's (1985) approach, and semi-structured interviews. Together, these approaches capture rich and relevant data. As Kvale (1996) argues, interviews are merely structured conversations with a purpose. IPA provides the best opportunity to analyze the lived experience of Black male leaders and gain insightful knowledge. Results The research findings suggest that the men interviewed have experienced various challenges in leadership positions within Toronto's non-profit sector. These challenges include navigating anti-Black Racism, code-switching, performativity, and mental health issues. To cope with these challenges,…
author: Beckford, Morris Anthony
keywords: Blacks, Leadership, Canada, Toronto, Leadership Studies
date published: 2023-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T00:54:19Z
provider: Andrews University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Andrews University