What is Black about It? An Educator's Autoethnography is an African American woman's doctoral story, a phenomenological treatise of the journey of an African American female doctoral student traversing the dissertation part of her doctoral degree. Within phenomenological research philosophy this study is: autoethnographical in that it is autobiographical and cultural in scope; narrative in that it is both the telling and analysis of the story of her journey; the analysis is done by using ‘reflections’ throughout the dissertation journey, and heuristic inquiry that guides the study through immersion, acquisition, and realization phases. The purpose of the study is multifold: (a) to understand what it means to a Black woman going through a doctoral program, (b) to inform the literature from the unique findings of the study, and (c) to experience personal change and transformation through the writing of the dissertation. This interpretation of the author's journey takes the reader through the life of a leader, educator, administrator, and doctoral student as an African American child, teen, young adult, and woman in both Black and White cultures. With insights into aspects of her rearing and life experiences, the author identifies effects that contributed to her overall journey in education. Hers is a story of trials and tribulations, as well as joys, in higher education, and it is intended to encourage African American women doctoral students, educators, and administrators who experience criticisms, discrimination and frustrations while on similar journeys. It is hoped the narrative will give them courage and power to go beyond their circumstances, make them feel not so alone, and encourage them to know that their presence is needed in academia despite dominant racial messages to the contrary. This complex story and its analysis answer the question, What is Black about It? as distinguished from what is just difficult about writing a doctoral dissertation and maneuvering through the challenges of working through higher education.