WASHINGTON, DC — Dr. Shawn Joseph, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and Co-Director of the Urban Superintendent Academy at Howard University, published an article titled, “Swimming Against the Current: Resistance to a Black Superintendent’s Fight to Lead With Equity in an Urban School District” in the Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Joseph shared, “The true stories of Black superintendents must be told. In this case, I utilized journal entries and newspaper clippings of a Black superintendent to tell his story as an instructive tool for future aspiring superintendents. Specifically, in this case study, I describe how prejudice and racism played a factor in this school leader’s ability to improve outcomes for children.” The article chronicles three incidents in a Black superintendent’s tenure that were evidence of prejudice or racism, and the case provides readers with research and insight into the challenges Black superintendents face in their roles leading for equity.