Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown publishes research-backed leadership book for Black women

Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown’s new book, Revolutionary Leadership: A Power Playbook for Black Women, argues that organizations are overlooking Black women leaders and need to rethink how they define leadership. The book, published by Entrepreneur Books and distributed by Simon & Schuster, is now available nationwide.

Why it matters: - Brown says organizations keep reproducing the same leadership outcomes because they are using the wrong criteria. - The book argues that Black women already practice the kind of adaptive, relationship-driven, human-centered leadership many companies say they want. - Brown frames care, community and coalition-building as strategic leadership assets, not soft skills. - The book is aimed at Black women leaders and at organizations pursuing equity, belonging and systems change.

What happened: - Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown released Revolutionary Leadership: A Power Playbook for Black Women through Entrepreneur Books, with distribution by Simon & Schuster. - The book is available through independent and major book retailers nationwide. - Brown is an organizational strategist, CEO of kmb Consultancy and a leadership expert. - Brown built the book on research from two longitudinal studies conducted 15 years apart with more than 600 participants. - The book draws on Brown’s 30 years of practice across corporate, government, nonprofit and consulting settings.

The details: - Brown says only three Black women lead Fortune 500 companies. - Brown argues that number reflects how organizations evaluate leadership, not who is qualified to hold it. - The book presents a framework for building power, transforming systems and leading with authenticity, community and care. - Brown introduces the “Revolutionary Pathmaker” as a leader who creates routes where none exist, builds influence without formal authority and transforms exclusionary systems. - The book outlines ways to move beyond white male networking models, build revolutionary visibility, measure culture change and sustain leadership without self-erasure. - Brown describes a shift from “Subject” to “Architect,” meaning moving from operating inside systems others designed to redesigning those systems. - Brown pairs research findings with case studies, reflection prompts, assessment frameworks and action steps. - The book includes academic research, historical analysis and personal narrative. - Brown says Black women have always been revolutionary leaders and that care builds competencies leadership programs teach. - The book argues that caregiving, community organizing, faith networks, cultural fluency and coalition building can drive executive capacity and organizational transformation. - Brown says the book gives readers language, evidence and strategy to be recognized and paid for their leadership. - Brown says companies investing in a new model of leadership already have those leaders in their midst.

Between the lines: - The book is part leadership manual and part corrective to how institutions define merit and potential. - Brown’s framing pushes back on the idea that leadership is neutral or universally measured. - The emphasis on lived experience and care suggests a broader argument that organizations often undervalue the work that actually sustains them. - Brown’s approach also positions Black women as designers of systems, not just participants in them.

What’s next: - Brown says the book is a call to action for current and aspiring Black women leaders. - Organizations looking to improve equity and culture can use the book as a framework for leadership development and systems change. - Brown directs readers to learn more at the author’s website.

The bottom line: - Revolutionary Leadership argues that Black women are not waiting to be included in leadership. They are already reshaping it.