I am not my Hair, or am I? Examining Hair Choices of Black Female Executives

Abstract

Using a social-identity based impression management framework, the authors explored the influence of Eurocentric preferences on the hairstyle choices of Black female executives. Two studies were conducted examining hairstyle choices. Results suggest that Eurocentric preferences, stereotypes, and bias seem to have a significant influence on the hairstyle choices of Black women working their way up the corporate ladder and less of an influence on Black female entrepreneurs. Implications for practice are provided as well as directions for further research.