The Battle is Not Ours!: The Impact of Racial Battle Fatigue on the Career Trajectory of Black Women Administrators at Predominantly White Institutions

Abstract

This qualitative narrative inquiry examines the impact of Racial Battle Fatigue (RBF) on the career progression of Black women administrators at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). While RBF has been studied extensively among students and faculty, there has been little research exploring its influence on Black women leaders who navigate both racial and gendered power structures in organizations where they are often underrepresented and unsupported. Grounded in the theoretical framework of Intersectionality, this study explores one primary research question: What is the relationship between RBF and the career paths of Black women administrators at PWIs, including the stages in their careers at which RBF is most intense, and how does it impact career decisions and trajectories? Through the lens of eight Black women in senior-level roles across diverse PWIs, five major themes emerged from the unique stories that included: Carrying the Weight of RBF, Being Seen but Not Heard or Valued, Choosing Survival Over Advancement, Taking Off the Cape, and Leading While Exhausted. The findings of this study introduced the FIRE Method, a new conceptual model derived from participants’ narratives, which illustrates four progressive stages black women experience in PWI: Frustration, Isolation, Resentment, and Exhaustion, leading to Exit. The model provides a framework for understanding how RBF builds over time and shapes critical career decisions for Black women in higher education administration. Furthermore, this work underscores the need for institutional accountability and culturally responsive leadership practices to address the systemic burden of navigating RBF as a Black woman and offers actionable insights for institutional leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to prioritize the well-being and success of Black women in administrative roles