In the wake of the of the murders of dentist and former First Lady of Virginia Cerina Fairfax, Coral Spring Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen, activist Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray and Pastor Tammy McCollum—along with countless others— a devastating truth remains largely unexamined: Black women in the United States are being killed at alarmingly disproportionate rates. These are not isolated tragedies. They reflect a profound and ongoing public health crisis with life-and-death consequences.

Black women are killed at rates 2 to 3 times higher than women of other races. And these deaths are rarely the result of random violence. More than half of Black women who were murdered were killed by a current or former intimate partner, and in nearly 90% of cases, the victim knew the person who took her life.

In this episode, we talk withDr. Tameka Gillum, Associate Professor in The University of New Mexico College of Population Health (COPH). Dr. Gillum has over 25 years of research experience in exploring and addressing intimate partner violence/dating violence. She is also the author of the recent manuscript The murder of Black women in the United States: A Public Health Crisis.

For more information about this episode visit https://www.psychologyofblackwomanhood.com/post/black-femicide

The “good girl/bad girl” sexual scripts Black women are expected to navigate create impossible double binds. From respectability politics and purity myths to hypersexual stereotypes and desirability, these scripts shape how Black women are seen, judged, and treated in intimate relationships and public life. Public figures like Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B make this tension especially visible—their images are often flattened into “hot girl” or “explicit” personas that don’t necessarily reflect the full reality of their lives or identities.

Research shows that awareness of stigmatizing race-based sexual scripts influence sexual decision-making, sometimes reducing feelings of empowerment around safer sex practices and intimate relationship choices.

This episode features Dr. Nikki Coleman, an award-winning licensed psychologist, sexologist, and founder of Dr. Nikki Knows, PLLC. A former tenured professor turned entrepreneur, her work blends cultural expertise and psychological depth.

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Eating disorders have long been portrayed as issues affecting mostly young, White women, but research shows that Black women are also impacted—often in different ways and with less recognition. Studies reveal that while anorexia and bulimia are less common, binge eating disorder (BED) is a significant concern. For example, one national survey found BED to be the most common eating disorder among Black adults and adolescents, while anorexia was much rarer.

Despite these realities, Black women are less likely to receive treatment or even a diagnosis. In community samples, Black women report binge eating and other weight-control behaviors at rates comparable to or higher than White women, yet they face cultural stereotypes, stigma, and limited access to culturally competent care.

This episode will explore the prevalence of eating disorders among Black women, the cultural and structural factors that shape their experiences, and the urgent need for more inclusive approaches to treatment and recovery. We are talking with Dr. Rachel W. Goode, the Wallace Kuralt Distinguished Early Career Scholar Associate Professor at the School of Social Work and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Eating Disorder Excellence, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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We’ve all had one at work. That person.

The one who hypes you up in meetings… but “forgets” to cc you on the important email. The one who congratulates you on your promotion — with just a little too much emphasis on “Wow, that’s surprising.” The one who says, “I’m just being honest,” right before they absolutely are not.

Your workplace frenemy.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Wendi Williams, co-author of Frenemies in the Academy: Relational Aggression among African American Women Academicians, to unpack what happens when friendship and rivalry collide at work. The current President of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Williams bridges the worlds of psychology, education, and leadership with clarity, compassion, and transformative insight. With more than two decades of experience spanning higher education and the nonprofit sector, she has dedicated her career to advancing the well-being, leadership, and liberation of Black women and girls—and, by extension, all who seek to lead with purpose in uncertain times.

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For too long, suicide and mental health struggles have been shrouded in silence within our communities. Yet the statistics tell a sobering truth: suicide rates among Black women have more than risen—they have accelerated, doubling among young Black females aged 15 to 24 over the last two decades, and continuing to climb during the pandemic years.

To explore this public health concern we are talking with Dr. Kamesha Spates, the William S. Dietrich II Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. A first-generation college graduate, she bridges Africana studies, psychiatry, and sociology to advance racial and health equity. Her work—recognized with national awards—examines anti-Black racism, suicidality, and the mental health of Black communities

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The digital sphere, notably Instagram, has birthed a vibrant movement: plus‑size Black women are emerging not just as fashion influencers but as powerful agents of representation, rewriting beauty norms with courage and creativity. Before hashtags defined the era, trailblazers like Mia Amber Davis, Gabi Fresh, and Chastity Garner Valentine were already forging the path—bringing plus‑size beauty into view, creating authentic communities, and igniting style revolutions on Instagram feeds. Now influencers such as Kelly Augustine, Musemo Handahu, Lauren‑Nicole, Alissa Wilson, Simi, and Ireanna are seen as more than content creators—they’re culture makers. Their daring fashion, relentless empowerment, and visible self-love redefine societal perceptions of beauty.

Today we talk with Dr. Regina Duthely whose research looks at how Black plus-size fashion influencers—from bloggers to Instagram trailblazers—shake the very foundations of mainstream beauty ideals. Dr. Duthely is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. She specializes in Black feminist rhetorics, African American rhetorics, and multimodal composition and rhetoric. Her research examines the ways that marginalized people, particularly Black women, engage in subversive rhetorics of protest and resistance.

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From the legacy of Kevin Samuels, to the rise of the Passport Bros Movement, to the viral dominance of platforms like the Fresh and Fit podcast, the Brown Pill represents a unique blend of cultural commentary, relationship dynamics, and reactionary politics known as the manosphere.

While most of us are familiar with the "Red Pill" — often associated with traditional gender roles, hyper-masculinity, and critiques of feminism — and the "Black Pill," which leans toward nihilism and defeatism in dating, the Brown Pill is something a little different. Rooted in the realities of racial identity, structural inequality, and the perceived disempowerment of men of color, this ideology is gaining traction online and influencing how Black masculinity — and by extension, Black womanhood — is being discussed. And yet — much of the conversation happens without critically engaging how these ideas affect or reflect Black women.

Kellen Sharp (he/him), a Doctoral student in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland, College Park guides today's discussion. Sharp’s research examines toxic technocultures, disinformation, and digital platforms, with a focus on how race, gender, and health are shaped by algorithmic systems and online communities.

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The beauty industry loves to profit from Black women—but too often ignores our unique skincare, haircare, and wellness needs. Spelman College is changing that through its Cosmetic Science programs, creating space for Black women to lead in beauty, science, and innovation—not just consume it.

Students study cosmetic chemistry, skincare science, and product formulation while unpacking how beauty standards impact Black communities. From the lab to corporate leadership, Spelman is building the next generation of Black women shaping the future of beauty from the inside out.

This episode features the Director of Spelman College's Cosmetic Science Program, Dr. Leyte Winfield, Ph.D. She is a distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Spelman College.

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