An exploration of why Black women in leadership positions are critical for educational equity, student achievement, and culturally responsive practices in schools and communities.
Her Story
About Candice
Dr. Candice Bryant has dedicated more than 21 years to urban education within Chicago Public Schools, building a career grounded in instructional excellence, equity, and student achievement. She began her journey as an elementary classroom teacher, where she spent 18 years developing strong foundational skills in teaching and learning before transitioning into school leadership. She currently serves as an assistant principal at a large and highly sought-after pre-K through 4th grade neighborhood school in Chicago serving approximately 800 students, making it one of the largest elementary school communities in the district.
In her leadership role, Dr. Bryant focuses on strengthening instructional practice through close collaboration with teachers, classroom modeling, and ongoing analysis of student performance data. She works alongside her leadership team to identify instructional needs, implement targeted supports, and ensure continuous improvement across grade levels. Her work is centered on maintaining high academic standards while fostering an inclusive learning environment that supports the success of all students, particularly within a diverse urban school community.
Dr. Bryant earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2023, along with a master’s degree in School Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Her doctoral research focused on implementing culturally responsive practices in urban elementary classrooms, with a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion in education. She is an active member of the Illinois Principals Association and the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spoken word poetry, live music, jazz, and Chicago’s seasonal cultural festivals, reflecting her deep connection to the city and its creative community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Candice
01What do you attribute your success to?
I had a principal in grammar school who believed in me before I believed in myself. I’ll never forget what he wrote in my 8th grade graduation autograph book. He signed it and wrote, “You are destined for greatness.”
I was only 13 years old at the time. I’m 43 now, and I still remember how much those words meant to me. I remember thinking, “Wow, really? You think so?”
I truly believe words have power. He spoke life into me at such a young age, and that encouragement inspired me to dream bigger and do more. Looking back, I believe that moment helped set me on the path to education.
I never forgot how it felt to have someone believe in me. That’s why I wanted to work with children; to inspire them the same way he inspired me and to help them see potential in themselves before they can see it on their own.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always remember your why.
The work we do can be draining at times. It can be stressful, demanding, and require long hours. But when you stay connected to your purpose; when you remind yourself why you started and why this work matters; you have something to guide you through the difficult moments.
Your why becomes your compass. It keeps you grounded, focused, and motivated, even when the challenges feel overwhelming. As long as you stay rooted in that purpose, you can navigate the tough times and continue making a difference.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering this industry is simple: don’t be afraid to take up space.
You belong in the boardrooms. You belong at the leadership tables. Never feel like you have to shrink yourself, dim your light, or play small in order to be accepted or make others comfortable.
Your voice matters. Your perspective matters. The qualities that make you unique are often the very things that make you an effective leader.
Walk into every room knowing that you have something valuable to contribute. Speak up, share your ideas, and trust in your abilities. Own your greatness and don’t wait for someone else to give you permission to lead.
The opportunities you’re seeking are not reserved for someone else; they’re for you, too. Believe that you belong, because you do.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I’m facing right now is budget and resource allocation.
As a school leader, I have a clear vision for what our students need to thrive and what our teachers need to be successful in the classroom. The challenge is that we’re often working within budget constraints that limit our ability to provide every resource, program, or support we would like to offer.
It can be difficult when you know what would make the greatest impact, but the funding and resources don’t always align with the needs. That requires us to be strategic, creative, and intentional in how we allocate what we have.
Even with those challenges, I remain focused on finding solutions and advocating for our students and staff. My goal is to ensure that every decision we make maximizes opportunities for student success while supporting the educators who make that success possible.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my professional and personal life are integrity, respect, and faith.
Integrity is paramount, especially in my field. As an educator and school leader, I’m often entrusted with sensitive and confidential situations involving students and families. People need to know that they can trust me to handle those situations with honesty, discretion, and compassion.
Respect is another core value. We all come from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, but every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I believe some of the strongest relationships are built when we take the time to listen, understand, and value one another’s differences.
Finally, faith is a very important part of my life. I’m a spiritual person, and prayer helps keep me grounded and centered. Whether I’m navigating a difficult situation at work or facing a challenge in my personal life, I often pray for wisdom, guidance, and clarity. It gives me strength and perspective, and it’s a value I’ve worked to pass on to my children as well.
These three values: integrity, respect, and faith serve as the foundation for how I lead, how I serve others, and how I live my life every day.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Candice
You Can’t Be What You Can’t See: Why Black Women in Leadership Matter
How Representation in Leadership Transforms Educational Outcomes and Empowers the Next Generation
You Can’t Be What You Can’t See: Why Black Women in Leadership Matter
By Dr. Candice Bryant
For more than 21 years, I have had the privilege of serving students in urban public education. During that time, I have witnessed remarkable resilience, brilliance, and potential in children who often navigate systems not originally designed with their success in mind. I have also observed a persistent reality: representation matters. The faces students see leading schools, districts, organizations, and communities shape what they believe is possible for themselves.
As a Black woman educator and doctoral researcher, I have spent my career examining the factors that contribute to student achievement and well-being. My professional experience and scholarly research consistently point to one conclusion: when students see themselves reflected in positions of influence and authority, their academic engagement, social-emotional development, and sense of belonging are strengthened.
The phrase “you can’t be what you can’t see” is more than a catchy slogan. It is a profound truth that has significant implications for educational equity and leadership development. For little girls of color, especially Black girls, seeing Black women in leadership roles sends a powerful message: your voice matters, your intelligence is valued, and your aspirations are attainable.
Representation Matters
Too often, Black women continue to be underrepresented in executive leadership positions, despite their qualifications, expertise, and contributions. While progress has been made, many young girls still move through educational environments where few leaders look like them. The absence of representation can quietly communicate limitations, while meaningful representation expands possibilities.
Throughout my career, I have seen the transformative impact of Black women leaders. Whether serving as principals, superintendents, district administrators, professors, policymakers, or community advocates, these women embody excellence, resilience, and vision. Their presence challenges stereotypes and broadens perceptions of leadership for all students—not just students of color.
Culturally Responsive Practices
My doctoral research has focused on the significance of culturally responsive practices in educational settings. The findings align with a growing body of scholarship demonstrating that culturally responsive environments positively impact students both academically and socially. When educators and leaders acknowledge, affirm, and integrate students' cultural identities into the learning experience, students are more likely to experience higher levels of engagement, achievement, confidence, and connection.
Cultural responsiveness is not simply about celebrating diversity during designated months or incorporating multicultural books into a curriculum. It is about creating systems and environments where students feel seen, valued, and empowered every day. Leadership representation is an essential component of this work. Students need to see decision-makers who understand their lived experiences, advocate for equitable opportunities, and model pathways to success.
Representation Can Be Life-Changing
For Black girls in particular, representation can be life-changing. It provides tangible evidence that leadership is not reserved for others. It allows them to envision themselves as scholars, innovators, entrepreneurs, superintendents, elected officials, and CEOs. It nurtures ambition while reinforcing the belief that their identities are assets rather than obstacles.
Representation also benefits students who do not share those identities. Exposure to diverse leadership helps dismantle biases, fosters empathy, and prepares young people to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Diverse leadership is not solely a matter of visibility; it is a matter of cultivating inclusive perspectives that strengthen institutions and communities.
Creating Pathways for Black Women Leaders
As educators, policymakers, and community leaders, we must continue to create pathways that elevate and support Black women leaders. This includes addressing barriers to advancement, investing in mentorship opportunities, and ensuring that leadership pipelines reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
The future of education depends on our willingness to create environments where every child can see a reflection of their potential. When little girls of color see Black women leading with excellence, courage, and authenticity, they gain more than inspiration. They gain permission to dream bigger, reach higher, and believe that leadership belongs to them as well.
After 21 years in urban public education, I remain convinced that representation is not a symbolic gesture; it is a necessity. Our students deserve to learn in environments that affirm their identities, celebrate their strengths, and expand their vision of what is possible. When we prioritize culturally responsive leadership and representation, we do more than change individual outcomes. We transform futures.
Every child deserves the opportunity to see themselves in the leaders who shape their world. And every little girl of color deserves to know that she can become exactly what she sees.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Illinois
Computational Drug Discovery Scientist
Chicago
President
Chicago
Principal Managing Partner
Chicago
Event Sales and Marketing Strategist
Chicago
Product Marketing Lead, Enablement
Chicago
Human Resources Generalist
Chicago
Radio Host
Chicago
Senior UX Designer
Chicago
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.