Roundtable Series#3, Session #6, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”

For many Black women, intimate romantic relationships (maintaining or obtaining) often increases our stress load. Beyond the romance lies the truth: the act of coupling complicates adulting. Let's talk about it.

Roundtable Series#3, Session #5, “Daddy Issues”

According to psychologists, the term “Daddy issues” may describe the attachment styles expressed by some women within their relationships. Many believe that the concept originated from Freud’s “father complex.” Let’s discuss how our relationships with our fathers intersect with the chronic stressor of adulting and how this impacts our relationship with ourselves or the world.

Roundtable Series#3, Session #4, “Mommy Dearest”

Some say that intergenerational trauma is gendered, with Black females experiencing a unique version of this trauma regarding Black culture. Let’s discuss how our relationships with our mothers intersect with the chronic stressor of adulting and how this impacts our relationship with ourselves or the world.

Roundtable #9, “Black Tax in America”

Let’s discuss ‘Black tax,’ a phenomenon that reveals the hidden costs of being Black in America. Allies, please be prepared to provide an update on your mini-action plans: progress, barriers, and insights.

Roundtable Series#3, Session #3,  “Us vs. American Democracy”

American democracy is built upon the founding principles of liberty and justice---for some. Our country is known for its perpetual election cycles, local or national; each calls us to defend our most basic human rights. Our relationship with American democracy is a complex one, exhausting at best and dehumanizing at worst. Let’s talk about it.

Roundtable Series#3, Session #2, “What About Your Friends?”

According to data from YouGov, Nearly half of Millennials say that they have at least one "close friend." Traditionally, friendships are incredibly important to Black women as our friends help us to navigate the rough terrain of racism, sexism, adulting, and everything in between. However, friendships can also be a source of stress if we are unclear about who we are and what we desire. Let's discuss our friendships, why they exist, what they look like, what they have taught us, and whether they enhance our well-being.

Roundtable Series#3, Session #1, “Me, Myself, & I”

During the first two roundtable series, we unpacked racism and patriarchy as chronic stressors impacting our lives. Let's dig into adulting as a chronic stressor- specifically when it comes to the relationships in which we are the most intertwined.

The first relationship to dissect-- the one we are having with ourselves.

Roundtable #8, “Intersectionality”

The term “intersectionality” was coined in 1989 by professor Kimberle Crenshaw to describe how race, class, gender, and other individual characteristics “intersect” with each other. Let’s discuss the importance of understanding intersectionality when considering the lived experiences of Black women in America. Additionally, please be prepared to provide an update on your ally mini-action plans: progress, barriers, and insights.

Roundtable Series#2, Session #6, “The Politics of Femininity”



Femininity is a socially constructed set of attributes, behaviors,and roles associated with women and girls. However, some believe that Black women are often disallowed full access to their femininity due to the consequences of misogynoir. Let’s discuss the relationship between femininity and patriarchal traditions. Do you equate femininity with womanhood? Do you believe that femininity can/should be leveraged as an asset in a patriarchal society? As a Black woman, do you feel your femininity is recognized on an equal level to your non-Black counterparts? Toxic femininity- do you believe it exists? What insights regarding femininity have you gained over your lifetime?

Roundtable Series#2, Session #5, “Me Too”



The ‘Me Too’ movement was founded by Tarana Burke in 2006 to raise awareness of women who had been abused. According to Ms. Burke, the movement is about dismantling the misuse of power and privilege which can also lead to racism and sexism. Let’s discuss how the movement confronts patriarchy. How has the history of commodification as it relates to the Black female body in America promoted sexual violence against Black women? Do you feel this movement adequately addresses the importance of consent? Do you feel sexual violence against women can be abolished without dismantling the patriarchy? As a Black woman, what steps have you taken to feel safe/safer in your own body?

Roundtable Series#2, Session #4, “Reproductive Justice”

According to SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, reproductive justice is the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities. Let’s discuss the influence of patriarchy on the reproductive rights of Black women. What are your views on reproductive justice? Do you have a personal reproductive justice story? How have you supported the Black women in your circle on their reproductive justice journeys?

Roundtable #7, "Antiracist & Anti-Racism”



We spent the last 6 roundtables gaining a better understanding of white supremacy and its impact on systemic/structural racism and anti-Blackness in America. Let’s dig deeper by gaining a better understanding of anti-racism and what it means to be antiracist. Let’s explore: antiracist vs. anti-racism. What does anti-racism look like on the individual/interpersonal/structural level? How does the adoption of an antiracist mindset specifically advance your advocacy goals? If you read the book recommendation (“How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi), what impacted you the most? Allies, please be prepared to provide an update on your mini-action plans: progress, barriers, and insights.

Roundtable Series#2, Session #3, “Toxic Masculinity”



Toxic masculinity refers to ideologies about the way that men should behave that are seen as harmful or maladaptive. Let’s discuss the relationship between toxic masculinity and patriarchy. How has toxic masculinity specifically harmed Black women in our communities and within society? How has toxic masculinity harmed the relationship between Black women and Black men in our communities? Mothers of sons: do you agree with critics that the term may inadvertently pathologize normal masculine behavior?   What tropes regarding masculinity have you had to challenge or unlearn in order to foster a better relationship between yourself and the Black men in your life?

 Roundtable Series#2, Session #2, “Misogynoir & The Culture”

‘Misogynoir’, coined by Black feminist Moya Bailey, refers to misogyny directed towards Black women where race and gender plays a role in bias. Let’s discuss the relationship between misogynoir and patriarchy . How does it present in popular culture, specifically hip-hop culture? How does it promote the denigration and/or erasure of Black women? Do you agree that we should divest from cultural spaces/institutions that promote misogynoir? What internalized misogynoir have you  had to unlearn to promote a healthier acceptance of yourself and other Black women?

Roundtable Series#2, Session #1, “Black Feminism”

Black feminism highlights the lived experiences of Black women as we navigate the intersectionality of sex, race, and class. Let’s discuss how the patriarchy influences our feminist views. Do you consider yourself a feminist? What does feminism mean to you? How does your feminism inform your participation in the current Black Lives Matter movement?

Roundtable #6, “Ally Action Plans, Part Two”

For the final session of this Roundtable series, allies will conclude mini-action plan presentations. What are your ally goals as it pertains to challenging anti-blackness and disrupting systemic racism? Through the leveraging of your resources and your access, how will you show up in this fight for change? Group members, how can we support each other and hold each other accountable through this process? Let's reflect: How has this Roundtable contributed to your evolution and/or understanding of anti-blackness, white supremacy, systemic racism, and allyship?

Roundtable Series #1, Session #6, “Race and Rona”

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) aka ‘Rona’, has literally changed the landscape of our social lives over the past recent months. The virus is also exposing weaknesses in the American healthcare system, highlighting systemic racism as a major culprit for disparities in COVID-related health outcomes for Black Americans compared to our White counterparts. How has Rona impacted your community? What impact has Rona had on your life on a personal level? How are you managing the stress and staying healthy?

Roundtable #5, “Ally Action Plans, Part One”

For this session, allies will begin presenting their individual mini-action plans to the group. What are your ally goals as it pertains to challenging anti-blackness and disrupting systemic racism? Through the leveraging of your resources and your access, how will you show up in this fight for change? Group members, how can we support each other and hold each other accountable through this process?

Roundtable Series #1, Session #5, “The Benjamins”

 Let’s discuss the implications of racism and gender inequality on the economic realities of our lives as Black women. Despite educational achievement, Black women generally have lower socio-economic indicators than our male counterparts. Capitalism, the patriarchy, anti-Blackness: how do these elements intertwine? How are we measuring economic success? How does this impact our roles? How are we mitigating economic stress and maintaining wellness?

Roundtable #4, “Fear, Favor, Freedom”

This session concludes our review of the Scene on Radio podcast series "Seeing White".  We will be touching on key topics from Part 11- Part 14.

Roundtable Series #1, Session #4, “Cranes in the Sky”

July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Let’s discuss the impact of systemic and everyday racism on Black women’s mental health and wellness. What has been your experience? Culturally, do you feel that there is still stigma around seeking mental health treatment? What barriers, if any, have you experienced in accessing mental health treatment? What community supports do you use to maintain your mental health and wellness? Let’s talk about “psychological fortitude” (shout out to Dr. Rheeda Walker), what does it mean for you?

Roundtable #3, “Racialized Science, Residential Terror, Caste System”

This session, we will be touching on key topics from the Scene on Radio podcast (“Seeing White”, Part 8- Part 10).

Roundtable Series #1, Session #3, “Black Beauty, White Gaze”

Let’s discuss perceptions of beauty for Black women within mainstream culture. How does systemic racism play a role in this? What about the politics of “leveling up” by leveraging beauty? Is it about the patriarchy, white supremacy, or social mobility? What have you had to unlearn to have a fuller acceptance of your own unique beauty?

Roundtable #2, “Brown Eyes, Promises, Clean Hands”

For this session, we will be touching on key topics from the Scene on Radio podcast (“Seeing White”, Part 4- Part 7).

Roundtable Series #1, Session #2, “Karen & Dem”

Let’s talk about white fragility and the weaponization of Whiteness systemically. What happens when Whiteness is used to leverage violence? Have you or your loved ones been on the other end? How are you coping? What are the implications of “going high”?

Roundtable #1, “Seeing White”

Let's dig into whiteness and how it influences how we see the world and those around us. What does it mean to be anti-racist? How does understanding Blackness as it relates to whiteness give context to individual anti-racist goals? Let’s dig into current events: What are strategies for incorporating mindful activism into the anti-racist agenda? For this session, we will be touching on key topics from the Scene on Radio podcast (“Seeing White”, Part 1- Part 3).

Roundtable Series #1, Session #1, “Literally Sick and Tired”

Black Women, Systemic Racism, and Allostatic Load: What is allostatic load? What is its impact on Black women? Let’s dig into current events: How does systemic racism impact allostatic load for Black women?