Not even the first lady of the most powerful nation in the world is immune to stereotypes that have plagued Black women since first setting foot on American soil. Stereotypes of being the "angry Black woman" and curiosity about differences in appearance still persist from the academy to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. As African-American women rise in ranks, their accomplishments, education, successes and contributions are frequently shadowed by the realities of misperceptions and stigmas that can potentially mar their legacy. Since slavery and post-slavery, African-American women were seen as strong, but typically had no voice. Even during the feminist movement, African-American women fought for inclusion and were largely overlooked. The stereotypes resonate deeply with many women in the academy who know all too well what it means to have every movement scrutinized. Certainly, first lady Michelle Obama has the additional burden of being the first woman of color to occupy the White House. Because she is the first and the nation has not fully embraced how Black women are both unique from and similar to other women, she is hypervisible and, therefore, under greater scrutiny. The problem is that popular culture and the media glorify and foreground Black women in so many caricatured and undignified ways that Michelle Obama appears to be more of an anomaly than she really is. While college campuses are replete with highly intelligent, well-educated African-American women, there is a common thread of walking a tightrope in managing perceptions and avoiding stereotypes.