The purpose of the study was to explore, discover, and understand organizational leadership processes in successful inner city schools. In order to understand the phenomenon taking place in inner city schools that were able to overcome the many challenges present in urban school settings and increase the likelihood of success in ethnic student populations, the study employed a basic qualitative research design. The information in the study and the results of the study will assist district leaders with identifying effective leadership practices that are likely to increase ethnic student success in inner city schools. Transformational leadership, a theoretical framework often used by leaders to implement organizational change provided the theoretical context needed to guide the study. The participants of the study were interviewed on a one-to-one basis using an interview protocol. The population of interest were inner city principals from traditional public schools and charter schools. The sample included inner city principals and CEOs from 10 traditional public schools and charter schools that influenced student success in positive ways. The findings revealed the leadership practices being utilized in inner city schools that have increased opportunities of success for ethnic students. Also, by looking into how successful inner city school leaders were able to meet the needs of their student populations the study will help advance the scientific knowledge base in organizational and educational leadership. [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/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]