Twenty-Fifth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

From a social justice perspective, there are inexplicable gaps and significant disparities in the treatment of minorities and women, particularly Black women, in the United States hospitality industry. Unfortunately, the darkness of one’s skin can significantly impact opportunities. While this can prove detrimental for all people of color, the divide is most stark between Black and White individuals, and the impact is most severe for women. This exclusion can be so pervasive in some cases that Black employees may not even be allowed to work in the front of the house, let alone in leadership roles. Only a small percentage of Blacks break through these structural barriers. While pursuing hospitality leadership as a woman can be challenging, being a Black woman comes with an additional set of difficulties. The primary purpose of this review of recent literature is to identify patterns of persistent racial, skin color, and gender disparity in hospitality leadership and recommend strategies for bridging these gaps and creating more inclusive environments for everyone.