Black Girl Voices Podcast

We blinked...and what we thought would be 6-8 weeks of a pandemic has turned into two years of a pandemic. And, while the world may be ready to toss their masks in the trash and resume their everyday lives, the pandemic is far from over. A new variant has cases on the rise in China and Europe, and it's only a matter of time before the United States sees a surge from the same variant. All of this is happening just as restrictions are being lifted nationwide.  While we know we can't live in fear of a virus, the reality is that this pandemic is still very real, and the most vulnerable continue to be most at risk as the rest of the world prematurely behaves as if COVID has disappeared. As a result, we find ourselves in a tough spot: how do we balance wanting to live a more normal life while caring about our human neighbors who don't have the privilege of resuming their pre-pandemic lives?    We discuss all of this in more in this episode.    --- Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon BGV Instagram Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram

It's Women's History Month, so on this episode of Black Girl Voices, we are dissecting the 2022 Women's Month theme by asking the question, "Is a gender-equal world really equal?" Even more so, "Is a gender-equal world even possible? Can we achieve a gender-equal world when the most marginalized women and femmes are still fighting for fundamental human rights?"   Join us in the conversation after listening to this episode by heading over to our Instagram account and commenting on the post that corresponds with this episode.    --- Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon BGV Instagram  Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram

On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine with a devastating attack on the country. This episode does not discuss the what, why, or how of the war. We have a few links below you can follow if you'd like a better breakdown of what's happening and why. In this episode, we discuss the heartbreak that followed when we learned about the hateful racism that African and other international students of color were receiving from Ukrainians as they attempted to flee the country with them. In the latter portion of the episode, we reflect briefly on the State of the Union address, which took place earlier last week.    Mentioned in this episode:  Episodes from The Daily by the New York Times that give a better understanding of what's happening in Ukraine How Ukrainians View This Perilous Moment  Why U.S. Soldiers Won't Come To Ukraine's Rescue Putin's Logic For Invading Ukraine The Russian Invasion Begins The Battle For Kyiv How Europe Came Around on Sanctions   --- Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon  BGV Instagram Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram

February is supposed to be the one month out of the year to focus on Black joy, accomplishments, and contributions to our society. It is the one month out of the year that is dedicated to honoring the fact that Black History is American History. Black History Month is supposed to be celebratory and affirming.  However, we started this month with racially targeted bomb threats at a number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we mourned the loss of yet another Black man shot by police while sleeping in his Minneapolis apartment, and we watched as police officers protected a white teen that was threatening a Black teen and wrongfully arrested the Black teen who was trying to defend himself. Needless to say, it has turned into more of a tragic month than a celebratory one. Thankfully, we at least had the pleasure of enjoying Black culture on full display at the SuperBowl Halftime Show.    In today's episode, we dive into all of this and more in the February 2022 monthly news roundup that we like to call: Hot Takes You Didn't Ask For.   ---   Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon Instagram Connect with Shivaun Connect with Caroline 

When Michelle Obama was the First Lady of the United States, racism could have cared less. In fact, we know that when the Obamas were in the White House, that is what sparked the current racial backlash we are experiencing since their departure.    In this President's Day episode of Black Girl Voice: The Podcast, we are discussing the racism Mrs. Obama faced during her tenure.    --- Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon Instagram  Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram

Ever seen the hashtag #BlackLove on social media and wonder why Black folks go so hard for Black love? This episode will answer your question.  We often receive a lot of hate when we use the hashtags #BlackLove, #BlackMarriages, #BlackCouples, and so forth. Comments such as, "what about white love?", and "if we amplified white love it would be a problem but it's okay when you all do it?"    Yes, it is. Because, just as with everything else in the Black experience, our joy and our love is resistance. From it being illegal for enslaved persons to marry to racist rules around welfare that forced Black families to separate to the mass incarceration of Black men that continue to break our families apart, we have to fight hard for marriages in our community. In this episode, we will dive deeper into the "why" behind the fight for Black Love and share just how important Black love is to us on a personal level. Lastly, we will encourage you to join in our celebration of Black love and Black joy instead of a centralized focus on our trauma.   --    Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon  BGV Instagram Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram 

Happy Black History Month! We're focusing on all things Black-ity Black this month (as we should), but we're making sure that the emphasis is on Black joy, love, culture, and beauty because that is what Black History Month is about. Black history is so much more than trauma and racism so we are encouraging our listeners to celebrate and honor Black culture for the wonder that it is.  In this episode, we are talking about iconic Black TV shows that helped shape Black culture and the personal impact those shows have had on us. You're going to want to binge a few shows after listening to this one.    ---   Support BGV: Patreon  BGV Instagram  Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram

We're wrapping up our January episodes (yes, we know it's the first day of February, but mental health comes first) with a round-up of the major events that happened during 2021 and how they impacted our lives, our mental/physical health, our communities, and more. This is another installment of Hot Takes You Didn't Ask For.    Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon BGV Instagram Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram

Let's be real -- there are a lot of mega influencers and public figures out there with cult-like followers that worship the ground they walk on. You would think that what these individuals have to say is so revolutionary it has literally changed everyone's life. The truth is, however, that most of these people aren't really that revolutionary at all. They just happen to be blonde and beautiful.    In this week's episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, Shivaun and Caroline are discussing the truth behind just how much white privilege plays a major role in who "makes it" in this world and who continues to struggle just to be seen.    -- Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon  BGV Instagram  Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram   

Cultural appropriation. What is it and why is it such a big deal? This episode will answer that question and more. If you've ever thought about wearing braids in your hair, changing your voice to sound more "hip," choosing a costume for your children for Halloween that doesn't represent your race, or just wondered whether you can appreciate a culture without appropriating it then this episode is for you.    In this episode, we talk about a specific Instagram post from a wonderful account, @darkest.hue. Click the link to have a visual of what we are discussing and please make sure to give her a follow. Her work is amazing.    ---  Support Black Girl Voices:  Patreon  BGV Instagram Shivaun's Instagram Caroline's Instagram

We're back with part two of our Black stereotypes series. In the first episode of this two-part series, we talked about the majority of the main stereotypes the world has portrayed onto the Black community and the truth behind where they come from, and what they actually mean.   The first episode focused specifically on the stereotypes that white people and other people of color tend to believe about Black people as a whole, and the truth about where those stereotypes originated and what they actually mean.    This episode continues the conversation, but this time we are talking about stereotypes that have developed within the Black community. These are stereotypes that we have developed within our own community throughout the generations and evolution of Black culture.   --- Where to find us: - Black Girl Voices on Instagram - Shivaun's Instagram - Caroline's Instagram  - Support us on Patreon

The hood. Thugs. Gang Bangers. Baby mamas. Let's be real. We know that these characteristics are among the main stereotypes that the world believes about Black people. In this episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, we're unpacking these stereotypes. We will discuss the truth behind them, as well as the myths, and open up about how we have struggled with these stereotypes in our personal lives.    --- Support Black Girl Voices:  Black Girl Voices on Instagram  Shivaun's Instagram  Caroline's Instagram  Black Girl Voices on Patreon 

Welcome to the last episode of season one of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast! Thank you all so much for supporting us and carrying us through a fantastic first season. This is just the beginning for Black Girl Voices -- it is only going to get better from here.    To conclude our first season, we are bringing you all a new series that we plan to do monthly called Hot Takes You Didn't Ask For. This series will allow us to share our reactions to what has gone on in the news from our perspective without having to make a new episode every time there is something to talk about. We all know that the news cycle is 24 seconds and is a lot to keep up with, so unless something HUGE happens that we feel the need to talk about immediately, we will begin saving our monthly round-up episode that you can expect on the last Monday of every month. This will allow us to focus on creating more in-depth, Black Girl Voices-specific content as well.    Topics covered in this episode:  Astroworld - who's to blame and the racism that emerged from this tragic event  Julius Jones - heartbreak, rage, and white power  Kyle Rittenhouse - white supremacy on full display  Ahmaud Arbery - our fears as we await the verdict (note: we recorded this before the verdict was in)  Mentioned in this episode: Julius Jone's video testimony    Support Black Girl Voices: Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices  Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  Shivaun: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth  Caroline: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin   

November is National Adoption Awareness Month, so for this episode, we're switching up the roles a bit with Shivaun interviewing Caroline about her experiences with being an adoptee. Listen to this touching, honest, raw episode to get a glimpse into the mind and heart of someone who wrestles with the beauty and the pain of their adoption every single day. Make sure to take the rest of this month to honor adoptees and birth mothers who have endured the biggest losses in the adoption system, but are often the least heard.    Support Black Girl Voices: - Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices  - BGV Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  - Shivaun's Instagram: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth - Caroline's Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin 

Last week, Shivaun and Caroline came across this post on Instagram that brought to light some controversy around the term BIPOC. It was honestly a shocking perspective that we hadn't considered until now. This week on Black Girl Voices, we're talking about whether or not we agree with this controversy about the term, as well as bringing to light the understanding that anti-Blackness is the root of white supremacy.   Support Black Girl Voices:  Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices  Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  Shivaun: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabth  Caroline: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin   

We recorded this episode the day that republican candidate Glenn Youngkin was declared the winner of the Virginia gubernatorial election. We were filled with hurt, rage, and emotion, not because a Republican candidate won this election, but because an entire race was ran and won on the premise of banning Critical Race Theory, as well as our prominent Black authors, from the public education classroom.    This conversation is our unfiltered reaction to this election and to the state of our country overall. Needless to say, we're tired.    We're sharing this space with you -- this space of lament, rage, frustration, and hurt, and we trust that our hurt will be safe with you, just as your feelings are always safe with us.    This episode contains strong language and should not be listened to without younger humans within earshot.    --- Support our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices   Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth 

This past week, heavy negotiations have been taking place amongst House Democrats for President Biden's Build Back Better Plan. Due to lawmakers inability to get on the same page, many programs that were in the original plan have been completely cut, including Paid Family Leave. In this week's episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, Shivaun and Caroline are discussing this devastating news and the impact it has on all of us.    Articles about the Build Back Better Plan:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/28/president-biden-announces-the-build-back-better-framework/  https://www.npr.org/2021/10/29/1050620525/president-biden-unveiled-a-1-75-trillion-build-back-better-plan-heres-whats-in-i  https://www.vox.com/2021/10/29/22749595/paid-leave-sick-parental-leave-biden-build-back-better-bill   Connect and Support Black Girl Voices:  Patreon: https://patreon.com/blackgirlvoices Instagram: https://instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  Shivaun: https://instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth   Caroline: https://instagram.com/carolinejsumlin 

In today's episode of the Black Girl Voices Podcast, We are sharing a bit of our faith deconstruction journey as we have both learned about the hypocrisy of white/American/Evangelical Christianity within the past year. This was a harder episode to record, so you may hear us fumbling our words a bit. This process is completely new for us and we are very much processing everything we are currently going through as we share it. We hope this episode is helpful to anyone else on a similar journey, and/or enlightening to those of you who don't really understand the Black perspective when it comes to Christianity and why there is such a divide in the church.    A few of the resources mentioned:  Phil Vischer videos:  - Race in America (part 1) - Race in America (part 2) - Why do Black Christians vote Democrat?    The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast   ---   Support  Black Girl Voices on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices  Follow Black Girl Voices on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices 

In today's episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, Shivaun and Caroline are answering questions that you all have submitted! If you have a question you would like to see featured in our next Ask Us Anything special, just send us a DM over on Instagram, or email us at blackgirlvoices@gmail.com    --- Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices  Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices       

It all started when the Wall Street Journal conducted an investigation called The Facebook Files, where the findings of their investigation revealed much of what we already know: Facebook is harmful. It continued when a Facebook whistleblower, by the name of Frances Haugen, revealed her identity and allowed herself to be interviewed in a 60 Minutes interview. Haugen had filed anonymous federal complaints the month before, which is how she became the Facebook whistleblower.  Last Tuesday, October 6th, Frances Haugen appeared before Congress to testify against Facebook and demand Congress take action against the tech giant.  In today's episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, we are talking about this case, how we as social media content creators feel about the claims made as it impacts our work directly, and how we would ideally like to see the future of social media.    --- Support Black Girl Voices on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  Follow Caroline on Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin Follow Shivaun on Instagram: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth     

A few weeks ago, the internet and the media exploded over the Gabby Petito Case. This is nothing new. Whenever a pretty, young white woman goes missing, the world explodes. However, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color disproportionately make up much larger percentages of missing person cases, yet the media attention is almost nonexistent. Black and Indigenous are especially vulnerable.  In this episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, we're talking about Missing White Woman Syndrome. Yes, it's a real thing. And, we have a lot to say about it.    Mentioned in this episode:  Missing Black Women + Girls Stats: https://womensmediacenter.com/news-features/the-urgent-crisis-of-missing-black-women-and-girls Book: Hood Feminism  https://www.uihi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Missing-and-Murdered-Indigenous-Women-and-Girls-Report.pdf ----   Support our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  Follow Shivaun on Instagram: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth Follow Caroline on Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin

Last week, we were shaken to our core as we witnessed one of the most inhumane, egregious acts of racism as Haitian migrants desperately seeking asylum crossed over the Rio Grande into Texas. Today, we're talking about it.    Mentioned in this episode: - Be Antiracist with Ibrim X. Khendi (podcast) - Stamped from the Beginning by Ibrim X Khendi (book)   --- Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  Follow Shivaun on I nstagram: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth  Follow Caroline on Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin  

In this spicy episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, we are discussing the newly passed Texas anti-abortion law. We discuss why this abortion ban and the entire pro-life movement reeks of hypocrisy, how this abortion ban primarily targets women in underserved communities, why adoption is NOT the answer to the pro-life movement like many believe it is, and how controlling women's bodies is not the way to reduce the number of abortions women are having.    Mentioned in this episode:  https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033202132/texas-abortion-ban-what-happens-next https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033171800/texas-abortion-ban-supreme-court-   Support us on Patreon:  www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices    Follow us:  www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth  www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin     

*TRIGGER WARNING*    This episode contains content surrounding mental health and suicide awareness. The listener's discretion is advised.    ----   It's National Suicide Awareness Week, so today's episode of Black Girl Voices: the podcast addresses the very real and raw realities of the mental health crisis that exists within the Black community, specifically Black women and girls. We also share our own vulnerable mental health stories that we pray will help even just one listener on their mental health journey. This is a heavy, emotional episode, so we recommend listening when you have the time and space to sit with these emotions. If you have someone supportive you can listen with, we recommend that as well, so you all can hold space for each other and continue the conversation after the episode concludes.   Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  --- Suicide and mental health resources: CRISIS TEXT LINE -  "Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the united states, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment."   NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE 1-800-273-8255 "A national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."   CALL BLACK LINE 1 (800) 604-5841 "Blackline provides a space for peer support, counseling, witnessing, and affirming the lived experiences to folx who are most impacted by systemic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens."   TREVOR PROJECT 1-866-488-7386 "Leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25."   THE LGBT NATIONAL HELP CENTER 1-888-843-4564 "provides vital peer-support, community connections, and resource information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and/or gender identity."   OTHER WEBSITES: www.findapsychologist.org www.goodtherapy.org www.networktherapy.com www.psychologytoday.com   BIPOC Instagram pages to follow: @thelovelandfoundation @black_minds_matter_ @therapyforblackgirls @aakomaproject @_beamorg   --- Links to mental health statistics about Black women and girls:   https://www.apa.org/pi/about/newsletter/2020/02/black-women-sexual-assault https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/african-american https://www.law.georgetown.edu/poverty-inequality-center/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/12/Mental-Health-and-Girls-of-Color.pdf https://womensmediacenter.com/news-features/the-urgent-crisis-of-missing-black-women-and-girls      

School is officially back in session, but this year, some school districts will be learning even less than the substandard Black history that is usually taught in our schools. With the current racial reckoning that continues to stir our society, many educators want to do their due diligence to incorporate anti-racism and inclusive training and education into their professional development and curriculum. However, many conservative state governments, as well as many angry parents, are refusing to let this happen.  This controversy is what lead to the state of Texas passing a major law that banned critical race theory, and any other educational content that even hints toward anti-racism, equity, or inclusion.  In this episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, Shivaun and Caroline discuss exactly what Critical Race Theory is, why it's being attacked by parents and government officials alike, and how much it affects us as Black mothers to deal with this blatant refusal to teach our history accurately and ensure equity for our children.     Some links for you all: See more about the Texas bill here: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/06/15/abbott-critical-race-theory-law/ The actual bill: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=871&Bill=SB3    Support us on Patreon for more inclusive content: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices  Follow us on Instagram: - Black Girl Voices: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  - Shivaun: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth  - Caroline: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin     

On this episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, we are discussing the Victoria Secret Karen incident, among many other "Karen" incidents that lead to deadly consequences for Black people. We discuss why these tears are so deadly, what true allyship looks like and how true allyship can prevent these incidents from happening, and we process our own frustrations around the history of white tears as Black women.  Get uncomfortable with us.    --- Mentioned in this episode:  Victoria Secret Karen video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WDcRSv0a3KM&feature=youtu.be Walmart Karen video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OTje0_73CzA    -- Join us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  Follow Shivaun on Instagram: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth  Follow Caroline on Instagram: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin

Happy Black Breastfeeding Week! In this episode of Black Girl Voices: The Podcast, we are sharing hearts about what breastfeeding as Black women means to us, how it's a sign of resistance, some of the disparities Black women face when they choose to breastfeed, what changes we believe need to be made to our system that will encourage breastfeeding success for Black women as well as all women/femmes, and our own personal breastfeeding stories that we hope you will relate to and find informative for your own breastfeeding journies.    Mentioned in this episode: Our friend on Instagram with the beautiful breastfeeding post: www.instagram.com/stateofthemother Black Breastfeeding Support Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Blackmomsdobreastfeed The La Leche League International: https://www.llli.org/   Other Resources for Black Breastfeeding Mothers: Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association African American Breastfeeding Network Black Women Do Breastfeed Milky Mama  Black Pumping Mamas Black Breastfeeding Mamas Circle Group Chocolate Milk Cafe

A few weeks ago, the greatest gymnast of all time, who happens to be a fierce Black woman, put her mental and physical health first during the peak of her Olympic career. In this episode of the Black Girl Voices podcast, we will talk about just how much this decision has changed the trajectory of not just gymnastics, but the way Black women stand up for themselves from now on. After listening today, our hope is that you decide that you don't have to be strong anymore. You are allowed to be weak, you are allowed to say no, and you are allowed to put yourself first. Always.    Olympics update: at the time of recording, we were unsure how the Olympics would turn out and whether Simone would be able to complete her competition on balance beam. We are so happy to be able to officially congratulate her on her bronze medal on beam! She has expressed that this medal means more to her than all the others. She may have been expected to win gold at the Olympics this year, but what she did will change the world of sports and mental health forever. Thank you for being our hero, Simone. We love you.   Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices    Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth  www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin 

In this episode of the Black Girl Voces podcast, Shivaun and Caroline are discussing how the Instagram algorithms, overt and covert racism within the industry, and other inherent biases contribute to the overall racism of Instagram and how difficult it is to make it as a Black creator in the online space. We also discuss how the racism within the Instagram world is just a mirror o the racism that occurs in every other industry under the umbrella of our white supremacist society. Whether you are a BIPOC content creator, a BIPOC professional in a different industry, or a white person in either arena, this episode will bring forth awareness, raw emotion, and exactly what we can do to stand up against these injustices and fight the system that is actively fighting us.   Follow us on Instagram: Black Girl Voices: www.instagram.com/blackgirlvoices  Shivaun: www.instagram.com/shivaun_elizabeth  Caroline: www.instagram.com/carolinejsumlin    Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices

Welcome to the very first episode of the Black Girl Voices podcast! We are so excited to have you here. In this intro episode, you will meet the podcast hosts, Shivaun Montgomery-Haynes and Caroline J. Sumlin, and hear their heart and vision for this community.    Come on in, girl! We have a lot to talk about.    ---   Support us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/blackgirlvoices