How Keion and Shaunie Are Rewriting “the Rules” for Their Black Family

Growing up, Keion’s mother outlined clear family values: “Always tell the truth,” respectfully address people as “Sir” or “Ma’am,” and reserve judgment (lest you be judged yourself!). Shaunie’s mother taught her to be “ladylike” and “stay out of grown folks’ business,” while her father taught her to be “street smart” and “keep her head on a swivel.” Despite being raised states apart in two different families, the underlying expectation their parents had was the same: ”Don’t embarrass us!” In this episode, Keion and Shaunie deconstruct how the principles from their upbringing shaped them into the people they are today, and why they believe Black families in America are united by some core values. They trace the source back to the damage caused by generational racial trauma. From enslavement to Jim Crow segregation to redlining, pain has been passed down to the point where “African-Americans don’t recognize their own power,” Keion declares. The culture maker and spiritual leader dissect exactly why family values protect Black Americans given that “to be Black in America is to be African with no home and American with no privilege,” as Keion believes.

Key insights include why the Hendersons believe Black people often feel the need to “defend the entire race,” how a lack of unity in Black culture has led to a “communal search for identity”, and the surprising force they believe binds Black people together. Taking inventory of where you come from and the forces that drive your decisions requires growth on the inside. While African-Americans may always combat obstacles and cultural misconceptions, Keion and Shaunie believe there’s always an opportunity to create a lasting legacy of triumph and write a new narrative for the extended Black family.