A Seat at the C-Suite Table: Insights from the Leadership Journeys of African American Executives

by Chuck Wallington

"A Seat at the C-Suite Table" is an insightful look at the leadership journeys of 30 African American male C-Suite executives. In their own compelling words, executives describe earning and maintaining a seat at the C-Suite table. They speak candidly about how the lack of mentors, coaches, and role models impacted – but did not stop them. They talk openly about navigating corporate settings designed years ago by White men. They speak freely about their commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders. This book was inspired by data suggesting that there is racial/ethnic underrepresentation in corporate leadership roles in the United States. This underrepresentation ranges from the presidency of colleges and universities to the U.S. Senate to corporate boardrooms. This book provides advice, hope, and inspiration for others. It also includes a road map for all leaders who desire to become better mentors, coaches, sponsors, and allies for current and future underrepresented leaders.

122 pages, Paperback

Published January 11, 2024

About the author

Charles F. (Chuck) Wallington is a C-Suite executive and a chief marketing and communications officer. For the past 12 years, Chuck has held leadership roles in the healthcare industry. Previously, he held leadership roles in the financial services and the consumer-packaged goods industries.

After a brief stint as a newspaper reporter, the University of North Carolina Journalism School graduate segued into public relations and marketing where he has been blessed to enjoy a successful career. He later earned a master’s in communications management from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. His master’s research, titled “Barriers, Borders and Boundaries: Exploring why there are so few African American men in the public relations profession,” was named one of the Top 15 Public Relations Insights of 2020 by the Institute of Public Relations.

Chuck also earned his PhD in Leadership Studies from North Carolina A&T State University. His 2021 dissertation, Navigating the C-Suite: Exploring the Leadership Journey of African American Male Executives in U.S. Corporations, inspired his newest book.

Reviews

[Angelle Barbazon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "A Seat at the C-Suite Table," Chuck Wallington helps us learn from the challenges and celebrate the victories of successful black executives. He pays homage to these leaders by sharing their joys and pains, the hurdles and victories, painting a vivid picture of resilience and determination. These candid conversations and compelling stories will no doubt empower future leaders.

[Books Forward · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his novel, Chuck Wallington profoundly writes about how about the good, the bad, and the ugly in order to share a real look at what it's like to be an executive. It was inspiring to read about the lives of these 30 different black executives and how hard they had to work. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who want to be a better leader.