Underrepresented and Understudied: Exploring the Lived Experiences of African American Women in Policing

African American women are underrepresented in policing and understudied in the research. Grounded in Collins’ Black feminist thought, whose theme seeks to empower Black women to speak in their authentic voices, this qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of 12 African American female officers from Midwest departments. It examined how the intersection of race and gender shaped their workplace realities. The purpose of the study was to gain perspectives from the participants on strategies to recruit and retain African American female officers. Historically, policing has been a gendered and hypermasculine profession, making it difficult for African American female officers to thrive. Using open-ended semistructured questions, the participants shared rich, candid narratives of their lived experiences. Being able to express themselves and be heard was paramount for the participants to feel valued and supported. The findings contribute to the lack of research on African American female officers. The effects of race and gender in the workplace were examined and highlighted the need for institutional and cultural change that promotes diversity, equality, and inclusion. This study includes recommendations for improving hiring and retention. Results indicated that the participants faced discrimination, harassment, lack of support, emotional stress, and feelings of isolation. Participants described the value of community support and positive female camaraderie as important to their development. The results of this study can inform policy and guide organizational change aimed at creating a more supportive work environment for African American female officers.