What Unique Challenges do African Women Leadership Face?
Have you ever felt like it was you against the world? This is exactly what African women feel when trying to climb the latter.
African women in leadership often confront:
- Systemic barriers
- Cultural biases
- Limited access to education
- Underrepresentation in decision-making positions
Additionally we face challenges with balancing traditional expectations with professional aspirations, which can hinder our ability to lead effectively, showcase resilience, and drive meaningful change in their communities.
How are we supposed to climb that latter with so much against us? It’s all about community.
The Need for Community
In Milwaukee, our communities go beyond lines that were never meant to stop us. We lead, whether we are up front or working out of sight. African women show a type of leadership that comes from purpose. There is also strength and a deep care for one another.
Still, let’s be honest, the path to leadership is just as difficult.
Many of us deal with:
- Old ideas that do not change and still make people question what we can do
- Not enough guiding from others and being left out from groups that matter
- Unfair treatment for how we speak or where we come from, especially making it hard for new people in the country
- Feeling pushed to change how we act and talk so we can fit in where most people are white
- Always having to do better than everyone else just so people will notice us
These problems are not just about one person. They come from the whole system. Still, we keep going and try to get past them with the support of our community.
A New Era of Leadership in Milwaukee
Today, there are more African women in leadership positions in Milwaukee than ever before. We do not wait for someone to say yes. We are taking our seats at the table now.
Women in our community are:
- Starting businesses
- Leading nonprofits
- Having a seat on school boards
- Speaking up for policy change
- Coming together for mental health, maternal health, and youth empowerment
We lead not just to be seen or to get praise. We lead to bring real change. That is what sets us apart.
Why African Women’s Leadership Matters
Our leadership styles come from empathy, community-building, and sustainability. We care about more than just status or how much someone gets paid. We put these things first:
- Healing is better than causing harm.
- Doing what is fair means more than putting your own needs first.
- Leaving a legacy matters more than just winning for a short time.
When African women lead, we change the whole culture and show others how to move up while helping those around us.
The Role of Networks and Sisterhood
One thing is clear: no one does this alone. A group of strong networks, including here at CLAWW (Center for Leadership of African Women in the World), AWLN (African Women Leaders Network), and other local Milwaukee collectives help African women grow and feel strong together. These communities give:
- Peer mentorship – Helps people learn from each other. You can get support from others who have already been through what you are going through. They will share tips that work for them and give you advice you can use
- Leadership training – Gives you the skills you need to lead a team or group. You will practice how to talk to people, make plans, and help others do their best.
- Sharing Resources – Lets everyone use each other’s helpful tools and information. When people share, they all learn and grow together
- Local opportunities – Open doors for you to meet and work with people from all over the community. You can discover new ideas, work on different projects, and maybe find something you want to do in the future
When we work with each other, we make a bigger impact. We also open the door for the next generation.
What You Can Do Today
If you are an African woman:
- Know that you belong in every room you walk into.
- Connect with networks that help your growth.
- Share your own story and lift others up as you do.
If you are an ally:
- Give money to groups that are run by Black and African women.
- Move back so others can move forward.
- Use your own platform to help people hear our voices, not talk over them.
Final Thoughts: Leading With Legacy
Leadership for African women is not about showing off. It is about leaving something good behind and about making sure that the next group of girls—like our daughters, nieces, and the people we help—won’t have to face the same hard things that we did. They should have an easier time and feel strong too.
We are here, from Milwaukee to the world stage. We show up as who we are, with no need to say sorry. We do this with a clear plan. The future does not just come on its own. We are the people who build it.
Get Involved Today
- Join a local leadership collective
- Attend a CLAWW event
- Mentor the youth
- Support Black women-led businesses in Milwaukee
We are not only joining in. We are leading the way and this is just the beginning for us.