LEARNING AREA: Racial Equity
Image
glass ceilings

Trading Glass Ceilings for Glass Cliffs

Author:

Building Movement Project

Year:

2021

Description:

The Building Movement Project’s Race to Lead series has investigated the challenges faced by people of
color as they reach for senior leadership roles in nonprofit organizations. This report, however, focuses on
leaders of color who have already attained the top position in their organizations.
The data demonstrates that the proverbial glass cliff 1 is an all-too-common reality for leaders of color in
the nonprofit sector. Ascending to an executive position does not end a leader’s struggles with racism, and
sometimes increases those challenges.