Growing Up Black in A Predominately White Culture

My childhood friend Shalanee Joyner joins me this week on Leading With Your Gut. In this episode, Shalanee and I discuss what it was like growing up amongst mostly predominately White people. Shalanee is a 34-year old light-skinned Black woman who grew up feeling like a chameleon; blending in mostly with Whiteness or White culture because it was easier. I'm a biracial Black woman who grew up never feeling good enough in either White or Black communities, but like Shalanee assimilated to mostly Whiteness because it was easier.

Shalanee and I share similar stories, experiences, and reflect upon the following:
-recognizing when we became aware of our racial differences as kids
-growing up in a predominately White neighborhood, going to White Schools, and having mostly White friends
-discriminatory and racists remarks against us
-privileges in favor and against us
-the importance of this movement and our hope that it's not just a trend
-how we can amplify our voice and our experiences
-the importance of Black voices
-how this is an issue of race, however until all marginalized groups are free, no one is free

This Wednesday, June 10th, at 11am PST, I'll be hosting a free introductory class that will explore privilege. I ask that participants donate to one of the organizations listed in the Eventbrite details.

In addition to hosting this free introductory class, I'll be teaching a four-part paid course in the coming weeks. This experiential course will further help you understand, deepen, and utilize your privilege so you can become a lifelong ally at work, with your teams, students, employees, staff members, friends, and families; so you can fully PROTECT Black people and POC around you. More details on how to register for the full course to come soon.

Click here to register for the free class. Hope to see you there!