Research delves into leadership advancement for women of color

Women of color who are in leadership positions in West Michigan do more work than their titles indicate, and reported feeling like an outsider in their workplaces or volunteer groups.

Statistics and stories of area women of color were shared during an event March 2 in the Kirkhof Center. The event was led by two Grand Valley alumnae who conducted research about race, gender and leadership in West Michigan.

Shannon Cohen and Patricia Sosa VerDuin surveyed 120 female leaders of color as part of their fellowship with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network. 

Cohen said there is a lot of quantitative data available about numbers of women leaders. What is missing, she said, are their stories. "Without narratives, you lack a complete picture of the walls, ceilings and floors that restrict movement of women of color," said Cohen, a principal of Shannon Cohen Inc.

They surveyed 120 women of color, ages 30-60, then followed with focus groups to learn more about their successes and struggles at work and home. Results are highlighted below.

• 75 percent said they are motivated to lead because of being a difference maker;

• 57 percent said being the first and only woman of color in a group is a barrier to advancement;

• 55 percent said they feel like an outsider.

Sosa VerDuin, a principal of Mobius Coaching, said while 65 percent may hold an assistant or mid-level job title, many women were doing the job of director. "The women shared that job titles are important to them," she said. 

Along with sharing numbers and stories, Cohen and Sosa VerDuin shared recommendations, including widening the job candidate pool by connecting with area affinity groups, and rethinking pipeline programs and relational portals that led to hiring.

"We also call on people to be better allies and educate yourselves of what being an ally means," Sosa VerDuin said. 

The pair will give another presentation of “Invisible Walls, Ceilings and Floors: Championing the Voices and Inclusion of Female Leaders of Color in West Michigan” March 16, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the DeVos Center, Loosemore Auditorium. It is free and open to the public; RSVP at invisiblewallsceilingsandfloors-kent.eventbrite.com.

After the March 16 event, a website — www.sisterswholead.com — will be made live. It will include their full report, list of area affinity groups and other resources.