This study aimed to explore African American male leaders' academic experiences, career paths, and suggestions for obtaining leadership opportunities in K-12 education. Additionally, its purpose was to uncover the perceived experiences of African American male leaders. The goal was also to investigate African American men's perceptions of recruiting, hiring, and leadership opportunities by examining their academic experiences and leadership roles. The researcher sought to explore Critical Race Theory as an opportunity for change. The following research questions guided this study: (1) How did African American male leaders in K-12 perceive their academic experiences, and how did these perceptions relate to social justice issues within the educational system? (2) What support systems and strategies did African American males use to attain their leadership positions, and what strategies did they suggest for recruiting, hiring, and supporting African American males in K-12 education? (3) What were the challenges and barriers African American males encountered while navigating to senior-level leadership roles in K-12 education? The results were divided into the following narratives: perceived academic experiences on their career paths and developing African American male educational leaders. The researcher looked for recurring themes that emerged from participants' responses using a qualitative design. Finally, the researcher sought to explore the elements of leadership success that allowed African American men to achieve greater academic fulfillment. [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.]