Soror Tammy Richardson

On Thursday, May 4th, Soror Tammy Richardson successfully defended her dissertation entitled: Kinks and “Lyes” in Black Females’ Progression to the C-Suite.

Her dissertation focused on uncovering the meaning and essences of five Black females who have chosen to wear natural hairstyles on their path to ascendancy in Fortune 500 Consumer Packaged Goods companies.

Four essential themes were uncovered in the phenomenological reduction and synthesis of data: Conformity, Continual Risk Assessment, Internal and External Enforcement, and Don’t Go Back. The data revealed that the five Black females in this study entered the corporate environment facing inequalities and a need to conform to cultural norms that reinforce how they must appear in order to be accepted. It also discussed how visual politics exist throughout their career progression. The data also reveals how the study participants face written and unwritten rules in order to be seen as acceptable and remain in consideration for promotion consideration. Data reveals a moment of awakening that occurs when a noticeable change in hair appearance and an internal change happens where the study participants take back their power and keep their power, willing to suffer the consequences of wearing their natural hair into the workplace.

The dissertation concludes with recommendations for parents celebrating their kids’ natural hairstyles and recommendations for addressing hair discrimination in the workplace and other areas of society such as schools.

Tammy’s graduation ceremony will be in Cincinnati OH on July 9th at 2pm where she will receive her PhD in Public Policy and Social Change and a Specialization in Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy.

Join me in congratulating Soror Tammy Richardson now – Soror Tammy Richardson, PhD.