This qualitative study involved exploring the traits and situations which support African and African American professors and administrators' employment in higher education, particularly in the Midwest, USA, and to determine efficacious programs used by higher education institutions to help in the development of African American faculty and administrators. The following research questions guided the study: (a) What can African and African American individuals aspiring to become professors and administrators in higher education learn from successful African and African American professors and administrators employed in the Midwest? (b) What structures are in place in higher education institutions to foster the success of its African and African American professors and administrators in the Midwest? The participants to the study were eight African and African American female and male professors and administrators in higher education. Five themes illustrated the main findings of the study: traits and strategies to thrive at the institution, satisfying experiences at the institution, institutional support, lived experiences at the institution and lessons learned, and ways to foster a more inclusive climate for African and African American professors and administrators in higher education. Implementation of the recommendations may motivate aspiring African and African American faculty and administrators to purse their career in higher education and may change the organization culture of their institution and how it promotes their success. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]