2: Race and Leadership Development

Extensively reviewed by Helena Liu (2018, 2021) in their research and explored by others, leadership development is rooted in White and often Western cultural ideals, values, and expectations such as being individualistic, lacking empathy, and prizing capitalistic ideologies (Akom, 2009; Boveda & Bhattacharya, 2019). Unfortunately, this approach has fallen short for many people, including Black and Indigenous communities. Differing values and needs from cultural groups too often clash against White American ideals, leaving these communities to fend for themselves within a social system that is drastically different from that of White Americans (Boulden, 2007). This cycle often makes leadership practices inaccessible due to power structures, privileges, and sanctions.