18
When Black Leaders Leave
Costs and Consequences
KECIA THOMAS, ASPEN J. ROBINSON, LAURA PROVOLT, and B. LINDSAY BROWN
Frequently, diversity research within the management domain emerges out of the “case for diversity” that focuses on its many organizational benefits. In contrast, the current chapter focuses on the individual, organizational, and societal costs of diversity loss—specifically, when Black leaders leave. The chapter begins with a brief review of what we know about Black leaders today. Next, we’ll turn to the reasons why Black leaders leave. The majority of the chapter will subsequently focus on the costs and consequences of Black leader loss—namely, for themselves, for minority followers, and for organizations more broadly. ...
