Episode 1: PEP (Promoting Encouragement and Perseverance) Talk #1 - BEing Different Isn't Wrong

Five dynamic, college-age women, Miah, Eniya, Ashanti, DeeKay, and Diamond, share their candid, unfiltered perspectives about all things relevant to their lived experiences. We discuss the overturning of Roe; sexual assault; regulation of Black women's bodies, implications related to marijuana legalization and so much more! I believe you will appreciate this fluid, authentic conversation from a group of young women who are passionate about their future in America. Don't forget to follow this podcast so you won't miss the alert for Part 2, it's even more dynamic! Enjoy and thanks for listening!

If you're approaching a new journey (i.e., school year, graduate school, new job), check out this very simple, basic plan for success. Wishing you all the best this new season!!! YOU GOT THIS!! 

Imposter syndrome is often described as feeling like a fraud or feeling the pressure to achieve in new environments. Whether you're starting a new job, entering college, or starting graduate school, join the conversation with our guest Catie Williams who shares how she manages her experiences with imposter syndrome. I hope you can appreciate an honest and transparent conversation about feeling out of place and hear, firsthand, how a young Black female attempts to manage these emotions. 

This PEP Talk is all about advocating for your well-being, being civically responsible and what Roe means for Black females. 

We're talking Mental Health!! Although the official mental health month has passed, it's always a good time to talk mental health with a new member of the FGTW family, Alaina Kent. Alaina shares her journey towards understanding the importance of mental health awareness and wellness in her life after realizing that survival mode is "just a mode, not a lifestyle". She also shares a great initiative that she has begun that aims to destigmatize and increase access to mental health services. If you or someone you know is on a journey to achieving mental wellness, you'll want to listen in and share this episode because it includes many jewels to carry and practice. See helpful resources below.  Helpful Resources:  Therapy for Black Girls - https://therapyforblackgirls.com/ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- 800-273-8255 

Dr. Marquitta Shree Dorsey shares what it means to love YOURSELF. Yes, self-love is a constant here because the current social context can leave young Black females feeling depleted and forgotten. So this is a friendly reminder that you are valued, purposed, and loved with three tips for how to remind yourself that you are valued, purposed, and loved, daily. 

"Trying to pray the gay away" is how Crystal Sheilds describes feeling rejected by her family during a time when she needed them the most- coming out as a lesbian female. This conversation will hopefully open minds, hearts, and eyes to the trauma, and fear many young individuals face when coming into who they are as a member of a Christian family. It is our hope that Crystal's story will prompt a change in how we embrace our LGBTQAI+ family and community members, particularly those who have intersectional identities: being black, female, lesbian, and Christian. Whether you agree or not, "understanding someone is to love them", is perfectly stated by Crystal in this heartfelt conversation. 

Dr. Marquitta Shree Dorsey shares words of encouragement about the value of BEing DIFFERENT in a world that might put on the "squeeze" to be the same as everyone else and shun differences of any kind. 

Welcome to the FGTW family - the voice of Naeemah Malcome. Listen to her experiences with establishing her place in the world as an independent thinker and self-motivator. You will be inspired by her story and her strategies gained through her PWI (predominantly white institution) experiences as one of few and only Black females in various settings. Look out for her upcoming YouTube series titled "Waiting to Work" and how she changes the world!!!  YT Naeemah Sade @naeemahsade IG @aeemahnay

Taken from the perspective of two very astute middle school students, this discussion ranges from topics about self-image and the stereotypical black female, to "B" words like B*%ch or Bullying...since both are equally horrible, you'll want to hear solutions to how these young women have handled themselves amidst a culture where both are prevalent. This episode is formatted for group discussion and the nature of the content may be sensitive.