Black Women Academics and Title VII Lawsuits

Abstract This critical qualitative study, rooted in intersectionality theory, was designed to examine and illuminate bullying experiences in the tenure process for Black women academics at Predominantly and Historically White Institutions. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was extended to higher education institutions in 1972; hence, the chapter examines lawsuits filed between 1972 and 2022. Literature on promotion and tenure illuminates gendered race discrimination embedded in Predominantly and Historically White Institutions and the deleterious effects of higher education workplace bullying, especially on Black women. Through this exploration, the study identifies and explains intersectional injustice against Black women academics within Predominantly and Historically White Institutions and in the courts when they seek legal redress for employment discrimination. The chapter concludes with strategies that encourage Black women to (re)imagine their relationships to and expectations of Predominantly and Historically White Institutions. Also, the chapter reiterates recommendations for how institutions can create and maintain personhood, affirming work environments for Black women academics to thrive and experience holistic wellness.