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

About this resource

The Building Movement Project’s Race to Lead series has investigated the challenges faced by people of color as they reach for senior leadership roles in nonprofit organizations. This report, however, focuses on leaders of color who have already attained the top position in their organizations.

The data 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. This report shines a spotlight on:

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