5 Black Women Getting Me through the Pandemic
The pandemic has notoriously hit all social groups very hard. Still, it has been very hard on us as black women. A lot of the resources available during this time were not counting many of the intersections of black women. We are currently dealing in "unprecedented times," aka a space from which no one else has operated. We occupy new territory from the young pre-teen to gentle elders, and it's scary.
When I look for help, I often find myself searching "black woman" at the end of an inquiry in google search. It is essential to find someone who can tailor their advice to my experience in the United States as a black woman. So here are 5 black women who are helping me through this pandemic. I am grateful to all.
jasmine marie*
If you don't know jasmine marie, it is my pleasure to introduce you. a breath-work practitioner and coach, she is the owner and founder of black girls breathing. Early in the pandemic, I found that my coping mechanisms were not helping in this stay-home situation. Before the pandemic, when feeling stressed, I would change my surroundings, go for a walk, dance, and even meet up with some friends for a new perspective. Now that that isn't an option, black girls breathing taught me new ways to look inward for that same release of tension. I introduced to myself that I was all I needed - it helped because the chaos outside in the world was starting to reflect in my own mind.
Dr. Joy
Speaking of reflecting in my mind, let us talk about Dr. Joy Bratford. A licensed psychologist and the founder of Therapy for Black Girls. I was always a proponent of therapy but never fully dove into it for myself until the pandemic started. The barrier for myself and many black women is that there aren't enough black therapists. If you look, it's not that hard to find horror stories of black people being met with microaggressions and fighting to be heard while getting "help" from white therapists. Not to mention the stigma in the black community when it comes to mental health. The Therapy for Black Girls podcast is a free tool for accessing conversations around mental health started by black women. I also love being part of the Sister Circle, being in a community with other women who are just trying to figure it out!
Tamika Lewis
To move along with the category of therapy and inner work, I want to introduce Tamika Lewis. It was hard to find a therapist for myself because very few therapists were available at the height of the pandemic, let alone black female therapists. I personally didn't want to work with a man, so my options were already minimal. It was after a bit of research that I found Tamika. Tamika Lewis owns her own psychotherapy practice called Women of Color Therapy. Her values and mission statements are based on finding accessible, affordable therapy for women of color in the United States. It is through her that I found my current therapist. She is located in some town in California and was okay with working out of state with me. I found that having a therapist who understood what I was going through culturally as well as psychologically is what really aided in finding my footing during this pandemic.
and8 fitness
Now, let's talk about movement! It is no secret that diabetes and high blood pressure run in our tribe as black people. Currently, the statistics for premature death are astounding and, in my opinion, preventable. We were all in lockdown or under some sort of stay-at-home order. While some were able to turn to yoga and mediation or just do online youtube workouts in their bedroom. I was not one of those people. I cannot start working out, work diligently at my job, sleep, and enjoy leisure time all in the same room 24/7; one or three of those things will eventually fall to the waist side. However, the truth is that movement is crucial and necessary. Coming into 2022, it has been apparent that I did not move nearly enough as I needed to in 2020 and most of 2021.
After my full-time job moved pack to in-person, there still wasn't enough movement in my life. This is where and8 fitness comes in… looking around through youtube for a fun activity that didn't feel like work. Founded by twin sisters Danielle and Dominique, and8 Fitness is a dance-based cardio workout designed to get your heart pumping and your whole body moving. A woman, black-owned business with inclusivity and wellness-based practice. It's not about molding your body into the desired shape for mainstream society, but instead getting your body moving to feel your best. And when I'm in a slump, sedentary for too long, or just need to shake off some anxiety, I turn to and8. They offer a subscription service, a studio in Washington, D.C., and Livestream classes. Still, if you're looking for a budget-friendly option, you can subscribe to their YouTube channel.
Tricia Hersey
If you follow me on Instagram, a content creator I am constantly sharing would have to be Tricia Hersey. Tricia, founder and owner of the Nap Ministry, is a Bishop specializing in the radicalization of rest for black people. Her framework: Rest is Resistance, challenges capitalism's hold on the improvement and liberation of the black mind. Her goal is to deprogram the masses from hustle culture, where the ministry believes rest is a form of resistance and sleep deprivation is a radical and social justice issue.
The Nap Ministry's sole goal is to radicalize the black community using REST IS RESISTANCE and cultivate group napping experiences so that our people can rest. Napping is innate within us, and she is determined to bring that to light. When the pandemic first started (and also as it continues to evolve into our current reality), I noticed myself focused more and more on my output. Since we were all at home, many people turned to social media to express themselves. This also set up a platform for LLC Twitter to spread their tips and tricks on monetizing more of their hobbies to help them stay afloat during the pandemic. Do I grieve or work? There's no space to do both; our country never took the time to mourn our past lives or the members of our community that we have lost. With the help of the Nap Ministry, I am unraveling the deep messaging that has conditioned me into a hustler and therefore kept me from truly experiencing life.
So there we have it, the 5 women who have and continue to get me through this pandemic. Who have you leaned into during the pandemic? How do you think that has changed your outcome? I would love to know.
*styling of the name comes from personal branding.