Why Black Women Need Friends Who Truly See Them

01/14/25 • 13 min

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Shades of Strong® | Strength Without Struggle for Black Women

Black women friendships are powerful, but sometimes the support we give and receive doesn’t fully meet our needs, leaving us feeling unseen and unheard. In this week’s episode of the Shades of Strong Podcast, we explore why supportive friendships matter, and what to do when the support isn't giving what it's supposed to give. Black women deserve friendships that truly see them. Inspired by a powerful scene from Being Mary Jane, we explore: The emotional labor many of us carry alone The gaps in mismatched support The importance of safe spaces where we can let our guard down and just be In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The emotional toll of being “the strong one” and why it leaves us drained. How mismatched support keeps Black women feeling isolated. The importance of safe spaces where you’re seen, heard, and held. Why naming your needs through Support LanguagesTM is the first step toward real connection. Key Takeaways: Most people mean well but don’t know how to support you in the ways you need. Knowing your Support LanguageTM closes the gap between the care you give and the care you receive. Black women deserve relationships that feel like home—where support is mutual and meaningful. Why This Episode Matters: This episode shines a light on the unique struggles Black women face when it comes to support while offering a culturally relevant solution in Support LanguagesTM. It’s not just about pointing out the gaps—it’s about empowering you to close them, name what you need, and start asking for the support you truly deserve. It’s a call to action to stop settling for surface-level support and start building relationships that feel like home. Because every Black woman deserves to feel seen, heard, and held—without judgment, without struggle, and without being dismissed. This conversation is a powerful step toward creating that reality. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Take the Support LanguageTM Quiz. Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily inspiration. www.shadesofstrong.com

Previous Episode

Support for Black Women That Actually Supports

Support for Black women isn’t just a concept—it’s a necessity, especially for those of us who feel like the weight of the world is always on our shoulders. So, let’s talk about the kind of support for Black women that uplifts —the kind you actually need, not the kind that leaves you feeling drained, unseen, and unheard. In this episode of Shades of Strong, we’re diving deep into why the help you’ve been getting isn’t landing and how you can start asking for support that truly serves you. As Black women, we’ve been conditioned to carry the weight of the world, holding it all together while quietly struggling under the pressure. But that narrative stops here. This week, I’m introducing you to Support LanguagesTM, a culturally relevant framework designed to help you name your unique support needs. Tune in to learn: Why surface-level support feels so unfulfilling. How to identify your Support LanguageTM and what it reveals about how you receive care. Practical steps to stop settling for less and start getting the help you deserve. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying it all alone, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The emotional toll of hyper-independence on Black women. How Support LanguagesTM can help you communicate your needs effectively. The transformational power of knowing what kind of support actually works for you. Why This Episode Matters: For too long, Black women have been the backbone of their families and communities, expected to give endlessly without asking for anything in return. This episode shines a light on the invisible burdens we carry and offers a pathway to reclaiming support that feels like care, not obligation. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Take the Support LanguageTM Quiz. Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily inspiration. www.shadesofstrong.com

Next Episode

What Happens When You Let Go of "I’ve Got It"

Emotional support for Black women hits differently when you let go of the "I got it" mindset. Black women carry so much—juggling careers, families, and life while often telling themselves, “I’ve got it.” But what happens when we hold onto the “I can handle it all” mindset for too long? In this week’s episode of the Shades of Strong Podcast, we unpack the emotional toll of doing it all alone and explore how making space for support can transform the way we live, love, and show up in the world. Inspired by the stories passed down through generations of Black women, this episode dives into: Why many of us resist asking for help, even when we need it most. The cost of carrying expectations we were never meant to bear. How letting go of hyper-independence creates room for the support we’ve always deserved. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The generational roots of the “I’ve got it” mindset and how it shows up today. The emotional, physical, and relational costs of trying to do it all. Why naming your needs is a radical act of self-care and liberation. How the Support LanguagesTM framework helps Black women communicate their needs and build meaningful, supportive connections. Key Takeaways: Just because you’ve been doing it all doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it. Asking for help doesn’t make you less capable—it makes space for the support you deserve. Knowing your Support LanguageTM empowers you to guide others in showing up for you in ways that truly matter. Why This Episode Matters: Black women have often been conditioned to be the “strong one,” but strength isn’t about doing it all alone—it’s about knowing when to let go and let others in. This episode highlights the importance of emotional support for Black women and how Support LanguagesTM offers a culturally relevant way to name your needs and invite deeper connections. It’s an invitation to release the “I’ve got it” mindset and rewrite the story of strength—because, sis, you were never meant to carry it all alone. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Take the Support LanguageTM Quiz. Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily inspiration. www.shadesofstrong.com