Track
Track 3: Identity, Equity & Professional Navigation
Publication Date (MM-DD-YYYY)
3-7-2026
Start Date (MM-DD-YYYY)
3-7-2026 1:15 PM
End Date (MM-DD-YYYY)
3-7-2026 1:45 PM
Presentation Type
Presentation
Description
Code-switching, the practice of adjusting language, behavior, and self-presentation to align with dominant workplace norms, has been widely examined in sociolinguistics and critical race scholarship. However, much of the existing literature remains theoretical or descriptive, with limited attention to how these insights can be operationalized within organizational contexts. My dissertation study, completed in Fall of 2024, with Franklin University, examined the lived experiences of Black businesswomen in Arkansas to explore how code-switching functions as both a survival strategy and an organizational signal within professional environments.
Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, my research centers the voices of Black businesswomen across industries to understand how race, gender, geography, and organizational culture intersect to shape workplace navigation. Findings revealed that code-switching is not merely an individual adaptation but a response to implicit organizational expectations, leadership norms, and power structures. Participants described cognitive, emotional, and professional costs associated with sustained code-switching, alongside its perceived necessity for career advancement and professional safety.
My dissertation demonstrates Research in Action by translating theory into organizational insight. Drawing from Critical Race Theory, intersectionality, and organizational culture frameworks, my study moves beyond academic analysis to propose actionable strategies for leaders, HR professionals, and organizations seeking to create more inclusive, psychologically safe workplaces. By connecting empirical findings to real-world organizational practices, my research illustrates how scholars can bridge the gap between literature and lived experience, ensuring research informs policy, leadership development, and workplace transformation.
Recommended Citation
(2026). Code-switching among Black businesswomen. Retrieved from https://fuse.franklin.edu/dsa-conf/2026/presentations/8
Code-switching among Black businesswomen
Code-switching, the practice of adjusting language, behavior, and self-presentation to align with dominant workplace norms, has been widely examined in sociolinguistics and critical race scholarship. However, much of the existing literature remains theoretical or descriptive, with limited attention to how these insights can be operationalized within organizational contexts. My dissertation study, completed in Fall of 2024, with Franklin University, examined the lived experiences of Black businesswomen in Arkansas to explore how code-switching functions as both a survival strategy and an organizational signal within professional environments.
Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, my research centers the voices of Black businesswomen across industries to understand how race, gender, geography, and organizational culture intersect to shape workplace navigation. Findings revealed that code-switching is not merely an individual adaptation but a response to implicit organizational expectations, leadership norms, and power structures. Participants described cognitive, emotional, and professional costs associated with sustained code-switching, alongside its perceived necessity for career advancement and professional safety.
My dissertation demonstrates Research in Action by translating theory into organizational insight. Drawing from Critical Race Theory, intersectionality, and organizational culture frameworks, my study moves beyond academic analysis to propose actionable strategies for leaders, HR professionals, and organizations seeking to create more inclusive, psychologically safe workplaces. By connecting empirical findings to real-world organizational practices, my research illustrates how scholars can bridge the gap between literature and lived experience, ensuring research informs policy, leadership development, and workplace transformation.
