Symbolism or Substance: Increasing Access to Opportunity at the College Board for High Potential Leaders of Color

Abstract

“Building Leaders at Every Level,” an initiative developed at the College Board, was one of several responses to increase racial and ethnic representation in the senior leadership pipeline. Building Leaders at Every Level is a nine-month leadership pilot program that provides participants with an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of themselves as a leader and learner. Through interactive sessions, applied learning, mentorship, and reflection, participants deeply explore their identity through core leadership skills. Many historically marginalized professionals dream of breaking the glass ceiling erected and sustained by centuries of systemic racism. Unfortunately, the ceiling remains a barrier, and over the past few decades, organizations of all sizes have made investments to become more inclusive. However, organizations struggle to address and overcome racial, institutional, and biased power structures that are deeply entrenched in organizational behavior hiring practices, promotions — limiting the ability for Black and other professionals of color to advance into leadership and management roles. From design to implementation, "Building Leaders at Every Level" demonstrated the significant barriers and complexities in the quest to rid institutions of persistently harmful racist structures in order to increase access to positions of power. The journey of implementing this critical program within the College Board sought to support candidates of color to navigate internal politics while pushing the organization to make substantive commitments that serve to weave diversity and inclusion into the fabric of the College Board and sustain equitable hiring and promotional practices beyond the historical moments in time.