This dissertation examined how California Community College leaders have been engaging in responsive practices to create and sustain equitable and inclusive learning environments for students who have been historically excluded in higher education. Through a case study of five critical leaders of color, this research illuminated how these leaders have been creating and reenvisioning home for systems-impacted students through effective leadership practices and theories to create meaningful relationships, foster social responsibility, and relevance in the educational space. Additionally, this dissertation provides a portraiture of one emerging community responsive leader and a conceptual framework of community responsive pedagogy. Through an intersectional analysis of race, class, and gender, this research sought to understand how historical and present day contexts have been manifested through these various roles. By rooting a leader's purpose to social justice and reshaping educational practices, this study provides insight into how leaders can develop a means for personal and social liberation. The findings of this study suggested that community responsive leaders are essential to fostering equitable educational opportunities for systems-impacted students in California Community Colleges. By investigating the personal, professional, and organizational forces that these critical leaders are engaged with, this dissertation offers valuable insight into the leadership strategies that are being used to support system-impacted students within California Community Colleges. This dissertation contributes to the existing body of research that has been conducted on leadership within higher education and provides innovative strategies for the growth of community responsive leaders. [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://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]