IMPORTANT NOTICE: The date, time, and room assignment of YOUR presentation is SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Proposal authors can use this tool to see where they have been placed in the program agenda for an Oral or Poster Session.
Scroll down to search by the Submitter or Author Name, by Date/Time, or by Keywords by expanding FILTERS.
Confirm your place in the schedule by following the instructions that were emailed to you. Each presentation must have a separate paid registration. Contact the ACCI office immedicately by email at admin@consumerinterests.org to report any conflict, all corrections to the details of the presentation (including author names and the order they are listed as this is how it will be in the final program), or if you have any questions. Please be sure to reference the session title(s), date(s), and time(s) when you contact us.
P107 Breaking Barriers: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Black Women in Executive Hospitality Leadership
Short Description
This study explores the lived experiences of Black women executives in the U.S. hospitality industry, focusing on career advancement, systemic barriers, support systems, and sense of belonging. Despite representing approximately 11% of the accommodation and foodservice workforce, Black women account for only 0.2% of executive positions. Using narrative inquiry, the study privileges participants’ voices to illuminate how overlapping identities of race and gender shape leadership trajectories. Data will be collected through two rounds of semi-structured interviews and optional written reflections with approximately 10 executives across lodging, foodservice, events, and tourism. Guided by Intersectionality Theory and Sense of Belonging Theory, the research examines both structural inequities (mentorship, sponsorship, organizational culture) and relational dynamics (inclusion, microaggressions, belonging cues). Preliminary pilot interviews indicate that sponsorship gaps, exclusion from informal networks, and conditional belonging are central challenges. Findings will inform organizational practices that advance equity, strengthen retention, and improve consumer experiences. By addressing an understudied population in hospitality leadership, the study contributes new insights for workforce development, policy, and consumer well-being.
Type of presentation
Accepted Poster Presentation