This paper addresses the issue of black women rising to administrative leadership positions in higher education. The presentation presents demographic data on black females in higher education in Maryland and shows that there are documented sexual and racial barriers which prevent the black female from obtaining top leadership roles in higher education. Data are provided from a survey, conducted in April 1991, of 32 randomly selected African-American women (total sample size of 106) on the campus of Bowie State University (Maryland.) The survey inquired about the role of the institution in promoting the ascension of African-American women through various levels of the institution's organizational structure. The findings show that many of the respondents believe politics, friendships, the network system, and other factors outweigh qualifications of education and experience in determining whether job/position advancement occurs at Bowie State University. Additionally, although most respondents clearly state the desire to advance and have prepared for it (many achieved degrees while at Bowie State), most are not job hunting; reasons for this are not known. Contains 43 references. (GLR)