Session Title: (131) Exploring Career Mobility Patterns of African American Women in Public Park and Recreation Agencies

Session Type: Education Session Talk
Topic(s): Career Development, Equity and Inclusion, Leadership and Personnel Management


Day/Time: Thursday - Block 7
10/12/2023 10:30 AM (Central Time (US & Canada)) - 10/12/2023 11:30 AM (Central Time (US & Canada))

Room: C Ballroom Section 4

Audience Experience Level: Any level
Audience Familiarity with DEI: Any Level
CEU: 0.1

Description:
African American women are among the most underrepresented and under-researched groups in the park and recreation profession. This session will examine a current study on African American women’s career mobility patterns and the factors influencing progression to executive leadership positions. Participants received an online survey link consisting of questions on respondent demographics, job characteristics and experiences, satisfaction, likeability, organizational climate and culture, and perceived importance of networking and mentorship. The survey link is currently active and will be closed once adequate responses are received. We hypothesize that results from the current study will yield similarities between recent mobility (Jenkins, 2021; Waller et al., 2020) and career experiences (Shaw, 2017) studies of African American women working in public parks and recreation.

The research study will be completed before the NRPA Annual Conference, and the results will be presented in the session.

Learning Objectives:
1. After attending this session, attendees should be able to identify critical barriers African American women face in the workplace.
2. After attending this session, attendees should be able to examine their career mobility patterns and acknowledge barriers to upward mobility.
3. After attending this session, attendees should be able to prioritize advocacy efforts for more diversity amongst park and recreation leadership.

Speaker(s):

Chermaine Cole
Steven Waller