"Take your own path": minority leaders encountering and overcoming barriers in cultural community centers
Flores, K.Lynn.; Matkin, G.Sue.
Journal of Cultural Diversity 21(1): 5-14
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1071-5568 PMID: 24855809 Document Number: 678574
Minority leaders face workplace issues not experienced by white leaders including lack of support, discrimination, racism, and stereotyping. The purpose of this study was to explore how racial/ethnic minority leaders encountered and overcame barriers as leaders of cultural community centers. Three racial/ethnic minority executive directors of cultural community centers located in a Midwestern city were interviewed and their responses were hand-coded to develop themes. Six themes emerged from this process: finding "inspiration", "developing thick skin", "stereotypes", "damage from within", "take your path", and "hope". Their stories help us understand the complexities of inter-racial relations in the workplace.