Professional African American Women Career Advancement - Accomplishment or Window Dressing?

It is not the intent of this observation to diminish the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice required for each of those represented by these statistics, but rather to serve as an indictment of the paltry numbers. For a segment of the population base in this country which is so well represented, so visual, so out spoken, so talented, and so qualified, why aren't there more portrayed amongst these ranks? Zeitgeisty changes on the professional African American women cultural front is definitely needed to cause their numbers to rise. Observe the statistics. For the multiple millions of available candidates, is this a fair representation?

On the political front, Carol Moseley Braun, a Democrat of Illinois is the only Black woman who has served in the U.S. Senate. In the U.S. House of Representatives there has been a total of 26 African American who have served. This total includes the 14 who are currently in office.

One half of one percent of all law firm partners in the United States, or 345 are Black females. The total number of Black female doctoral candidates who earned this degree in 2007 is 1,203. This number is up almost 50 percent above the numbers 10 years earlier.

The Number of Black women professors instructing at degree granting institution is 2,193. There are 15,139 Black female physicians in the U.S. and 414,472 Black women owned businesses. Between 1996 and 2007, the number of African American Women receiving master's degrees increased 130 percent. During this same period the percentage increase for white women was 38 percent.

These numbers are rather dismal. It seems, what others view as a glass ceiling in the corporate, private, and public business sectors, for professional African American women, it appears to be a concrete ceiling. Black women are struggling for professional identity. Black female excellence is not being given many opportunities to show its full capabilities. It is time for the media to banish the stereotype of the "neck rolling, finger snapping sistas with an ax to grind." There is a large deep reservoir of dual degreed, exceptionally talented, corporate capable black women that transcends this stereotype and deserve to be availed an opportunity.

The Obama administration has been instrumental in creating more opportunity and visibility for professional African American women. Eight of his top advisers and White House staffers are Black women. But is this enough? Is piercing the corporate, private and public sector executive ceiling the only way for this cadre of brilliant Black women to shine? No it is not the only way, but it is the path which many have selected. Those who have pierced the ceiling are creating inroads for those who follow. It will take some time. The "ole boy network" is not very accommodating to outsiders. Staying on course and maintaining focus will get some of these smart Black women into the upper echelons of corporate America, however the vast majority of them will have to seek other venues.

Over time the dismal statistics will improve. By how much? The ingenuity, creativity, and resiliency of the Black women of Generation Next will be the deciding factor. Some will select to create their own opportunities, some will stay the course and pursue corporate executiveship, and some will give up. Gender and race based discrimination are two difficult barriers to traverse. Breaking them down will take a group effort.

Resource: The Visible Woman - More Magazine - October, 2009

Tags: buppie, careers, black women, African American women, black executives