Trading Glass Ceilings for Glass Cliffs: A Race to Lead Report on Nonprofit Executives of Color

The Building Movement Project has released Trading Glass Ceilings for Glass Cliffs: A Race to Lead Report on Nonprofit Executives of Color, which focuses on the experiences and challenges of nonprofit leaders of color who have attained the top position in their organizations. It builds upon the findings of the 2019 Race to Lead Revisited report, as well as a previous report on nonprofit executives from the 2016 Race to Lead survey data.

This report demonstrates that the proverbial glass cliff is an all-too-common reality for leaders of color in the nonprofit sector. Ascending to an executive position does not end a leader’s struggles with racism, and sometimes increases those challenges. In particular, Trading Glass Ceilings for Glass Cliffs shines a spotlight on:

The racialized barriers that leaders of color overcome to attain their executive positions. The persisting challenges experienced by people of color who hold executive leadership positions. The heightened struggles faced by leaders of identity-based organizations. The added burdens placed on leaders of color who follow a white executive director or chief executive officer. The potential next wave of executive leaders transitioning out of their positions.