Relinquishing power: creating space for youth of color leaders

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this manuscript is to demonstrate how school and district leaders supported the youth of color leadership initiatives at the district and school levels in ways to advance youth agencies and transformative change. The specific research question guiding this study was What actions do formalized leaders engage in to share leadership opportunities with the youth of color that protect student agencies and control?Design/methodology/approachA multi-site qualitative case study design was used, drawing on the understanding of shared leadership and student voice as analytical lenses.FindingsLeaders across both sites supported the youth of color leadership in three ways: (1) being open to new and different sources of knowledge related to persistent issues of inequity in their schools; (2) initiating spaces for the youth of color to engage in leadership and (3) buffering student leaders from outside pressures.Research limitations/implicationsThis research demonstrates the ways leaders with positional power can support youth of color leadership while not removing youth agencies and independence.Originality/valueThis manuscript contributes to existing scholarship by demonstrating how the understanding of shared leadership and student voice scholarship combines to deepen understanding of supporting youth of color leadership.