A Qualitative Study Examining the Empowerment of African-American Women and the Microaggressive Experiences Faced in Managerial Leadership Roles

Abstract

Intersectionality theory, as posited by Nishii (2013), recognizes that individuals embody multiple intersecting identities, including but not limited to race, gender, class, and sexuality. This theory is particularly useful in understanding the nuanced experiences of African American women in the corporate workplace, as it elucidates how their experiences are shaped by the intersection of their race and gender. Rather than examining race and gender in isolation, intersectionality theory underscores the importance of exploring the interconnected nature of these identities. In the context of empirical research, the recruitment of participants for this study was carried out using snowball sampling. This approach entails the identification and recruitment of participants through existing study subjects, thereby enabling the inclusion of individuals with specific characteristics or experiences relevant to the research focus. Furthermore, employing a phenomenological design is integral to gaining insights into individuals' lived experiences and subjective interpretations of a given phenomenon. By delving into the subjective meanings that individuals attribute to their experiences, phenomenological research sheds light on how individuals make sense of the world around them, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under examination.