A Call for Black Superintendents to Document Their Experiences Through Autoethnography

Abstract

As a Black former superintendent of a U.S. urban school district, I understand the crucial need for Black superintendents to systematically document their experiences. Given the low number of Black school superintendents and the lack of research literature about them, Black superintendents need to describe and build knowledge about their experiences. In this article, I argue, autoethnographies allow Black superintendents to document their experiences, particularly focusing on how race and racism impact their work. On a broader scale, documenting and sharing experiences through autoethnography may lead to changes in the superintendent pipeline and social change. Future Black superintendents may use insights for strategic guidance and empowerment, increasing recruitment and retention in the superintendency. The article describes how Black superintendents can create an autoethnography and provides a brief personal example.