Uncovering the Hidden Opportunity: Factors Influencing Engagement Among African American Men in the U.S. Corporate Workplace John Mackey

Format:

Book

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Mackey, John, author.

Contributor:

University of Pennsylvania. Penn Chief Learning Officer., degree granting institution.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

0296.

0449.

0703.

Local Subjects:

0296.

0449.

0703.

Physical Description:

1 electronic resource (163 pages)

Contained In:

Dissertations Abstracts International 87-07A

Place of Publication:

Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 2025

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Employee engagement is widely recognized as a driver of organizational success, yet African American men in U.S. corporate environments often face exclusionary structures that undermine their ability to fully engage. This qualitative study explored how African American men experience, resist, and respond to institutional policies, practices, and behaviors that shape their workplace engagement. Using a phenomenological design and narrative methods, 15 participants across industries shared their lived experiences through in-depth interviews. Findings revealed participants frequently encountered exclusionary norms, including pressure to mask cultural identity, tokenism, hypersurveillance, and performance standards rooted in racial bias. In response, they employed strategic conformity, emotional regulation, and overperformance, adaptive strategies that often led to fatigue and disengagement. However, participants also demonstrated powerful resistance through reclaiming authenticity, mentoring others, and pursuing excellence as a form of collective uplift. Resilience was sustained through culturally grounded coping mechanisms, including faith, intergenerational ambition, and same-race mentorship. Engagement was described not as a stable trait, but as a strategic act tied to legacy, community representation, and moral responsibility. This study contributes to engagement literature by centering the voices of African American men and revealing the racialized realities that shape their professional lives. Practical recommendations include building identity-safe environments, formalizing mentorship and sponsorship programs, redesigning leadership pipelines to reflect racial equity, training leaders in culturally responsive engagement practices, and auditing organizational climate and promotion practices for bias. These insights offer actionable strategies for organizations seeking to foster equity, belonging, and sustained engagement among African American men and other marginalized groups

Notes:

Advisors: Krishnamoorthy, Raghu Committee members: Stevenson, Howard C.; Creary, Stephanie Joyce; Ellis, Phillip

Source: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 87-07, Section: A.

Ed.D. University of Pennsylvania 2025

Vendor supplied data

Local Notes:

School code: 0175

ISBN:

9798276007489

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license