Though the societal demand for increased racial diversification in higher education leadership hierarchies is not a new issue, it remains a matter of contention. The persistent underrepresentation of Black leaders at predominantly White institutions is often attributed to racial discrimination. The obstacles Black leaders encounter in their career journeys have been well documented; however, their strategies for career success have not. This study contributes to the gap in the existing literature by describing the experiences of African Americans who have achieved leadership positions in higher education. This basic qualitative study was designed around one research question: How have Black leaders at predominantly White institutions leveraged their professional development experiences for career advancement? The sample consisted of eight African Americans (five women and three men) who held leadership positions at public four-year, predominantly White institutions in Southern and Midwestern states. Participants' leadership experience ranged from 1 to 11 years in their current leadership roles. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and organized by using theoretical thematic analysis. Through the theoretical assumptions of social cognitive career theory, participants' responses were further analyzed and placed accordingly into two predetermined themes, three predetermined subthemes, and two emergent subthemes. The results reinforced the theoretical assumptions of social cognitive career theory in that participants' self-efficacy and outcome expectations had positive influences on their career goals. Additionally, results indicated mentorship and networking were most contributive to career advancement. Findings also showed that the biggest barrier to participants' leadership experiences and opportunities was the racial bias they encountered from their White colleagues. Recommendations to create and implement professional development initiatives that support career growth are provided for aspiring and appointed higher education 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://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]