The soul of leadership: African American students' experiences in historically black and predominantly white organizations

This study addresses African American students' leadership experiences at predominantly White institutions. Findings indicated participants utilized servant leadership in historically Black organizations and transformational leadership in predominantly White organizations. The differences displayed showed that participants' leadership perceptions and behaviors were influenced by the racial micro-organizational climates experienced. Emergent themes were: 1) Resistant apathy; 2) Blackness as benefit; 3) Positional responsibility; and 4) Leader efficacy enhancement. Ultimately, participants adjusted the ways in which they enacted leadership, mentored followers and defined leading based on the organizational context.