Shades of Strong® | Supporting Black Women in Redefining Strength, Rewriting Narratives & Celebrating Authenticity Shirley Hubbard and Natalyn Bradshaw

My strong is grace, healing and forgiveness.



Join us for a deeply insightful episode with Tigest Beyene, as she bravely shares her journey from hurt to healing. Tigest's story is one of 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, having endured domestic gun violence and the long-lasting effects of trauma. What makes Tigest's story so remarkable is her realization, eight years later, that she had been 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. This powerful moment of self-discovery marks the beginning of her healing journey, where she learns to sit with her pain and find forgiveness. In this episode, she discusses the profound impact of her realization and the transformative power of forgiveness and community support in her healing process.







Episode Highlights:



* The Power of Forgiveness: Tigest shares how forgiveness has been a crucial part of her healing journey, sharing personal stories and practical advice on embracing forgiveness in one's life.

* Building a Support Network: Emphasizing the critical role of community support, we explore ways to build and maintain a strong network that can help navigate through trauma, featuring Tigest's experiences.

* Tigest's Healing Journey: We dive deep into Tigest Beyene's personal journey to healing, discussing the challenges she faced and the strategies she used to overcome them.





Join us as Tigest shares her personal journey from hurt to heaaling and how forgivness and community support play a vital role in her healing.









Tigest Beyene is a versatile individual, blending introversion and extroversion in pursuit of personal and collective goals. Her emphasis on actions over mere talk reflects a commitment and supporting women.



Connect with Tigest:  Instagram: @lovetigest25



Links mentioned: Walk By Faith Documentary  |   Love, Sex and Sorrow



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My strong is revealing the truth about mental health.



Today, we're joined by Donnita Hathaway, daughter of the legendary musician Donny Hathaway and founder of the Donny Hathaway Legacy Project, for a thoughtful conversation about navigating the many faces of mental health. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of mental health, focusing on unmasking mental health challenges and the significance of seeking support and building community. Just as Donny Hathaway's music unmasked deep emotions and truths, Donnita continues his legacy by shedding light on mental health challenges and the importance of seeking support and building community. 







Episode Highlights:



* The Hidden Struggles: Donnita shares intimate stories of hidden struggles with mental health, reflecting on key moments that have influenced her life and well-being, particularly her experiences with her mother and father.

* The Importance of Community: Discussion on the critical role of community support in fostering resilience and connection, and how to build a strong support network.

* Lifespan Perspectives: Insights into how mental health concerns vary across different life stages, from childhood to older adulthood, and the tailored support needed.





Join us for this insightful conversation on unmasking the complexities of mental health and the power of community in navigating life's challenges.









Donnita Hathaway is the founder of the Donny Hathaway Legacy Project, which is dedicated to the memory of her father, soul singer and songwriter Donny Hathaway. This organization provides holistic mental and emotional health-related education, advocacy and essential resources that are culturally relevant and accessible to support creative artists, Black communities and young people.



Connect with Donnita:  Instagram: @donnitacamille & @donnyhathawaylp



Links mentioned: Donny Hathaway Legacy Project 



Stay Connected with All Things Shades of Strong and the Black Female Experience:



 - Register for the "Uncpaed" Workshop

 - Connect on Social Media: We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms

 - Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE.











 

My strong is priotizing my mental health.







Today, we're joined by Aubri McKoy for a thoughtful conversation about navigating the intersection of mental health and the Black female experience. As Black women, we understand the unique challenges and pressures we face when it comes to mental health. Get a glimpse into how we navigate societal expectations and find ways to prioritize our well-being. We each share a life experience that has negatively impacted our mental and, emotional well-being, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by Black women in navigating societal pressures. We discuss the importance of seeking support and prioritizing self-care, challenging the stigma surrounding mental health in our community.



Episode Highlights:



* Impactful Experiences: We share intimate stories of our experiences and challenges as Black women, reflecting on key moments that have influenced our mental health and overall well-being.

* Prioritizing Mental Health: Discussion on  the importance of prioritizing mental health and self-care, sharing strategies and practices for maintaining mental well-being in the face of societal pressures and expectations.

* Reflection on Societal Expectations: Hear how we navigate these pressures and discover practical strategies for prioritizing our well-being.





Join us as we discuss impactful experiences, prioritizing mental health, and reflecting on societal expectations related to Mental health and the Black female experience, and visit our website for simialr topics that effect our menttal health such as Breaking Free from the Ride or Die Mentality.







Aubri McKoy is a #JerseyGirl with a passion for service, community, and connection. She is an innovative thinker and strategic problem-solver, always seeking to add value to any room she enters. Her personality is the perfect demonstration of the power of and, as she has eclectic taste and is truly undefined. She is both sassy and classy; planned and spontaneous; critical and loving. Aubri is the author of Anytime Talks, an online blog that is charged with “seeking healing through reflection.” Anytime Talks deals with a range of topics from relationships (platonic and other), coming of age, grief, triumph, and so much more. In 2024, Aubri aspires to take Anytime Talks from paper to podcast, and what better place to start than with Shades of Strong?



Connect with Aubri:  Instagram: @a.u.b_

Links mentioned: www.dfreefoundation.org/academy/









Stay Connected with All Things Shades of Strong and the Black Female Experience:

Register for the "Uncpaed" Workshop Connect on Social Media: We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms | Listener Survey: Share your feedback with us HERE.







 

My strong is vulnerability and acceptance







Hey, sis! Shirl and Natty here! Today, we're joined by Traci Neal for an impactful conversation about navigating life on the spectrum. 



Traci shares her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism at the age of thirty-four and how she's leaning into vulnerability to support her in embracing the labels, highlighting the journey of self-acceptance and growth that will certainly resonate with Black women on a similar journey.



As Black women, we know that societal norms often pressure us to suppress our emotions and mold ourselves to fit certain molds. However, Traci's story reminds us that true strength lies in embracing our authentic selves, diagnoses and all, a message that resonates deeply with Black women who often face pressure to conform to societal norms.



Episode Highlights:



* Discovering Diagnoses: Traci shares her journey of navigating a recent diagnosis of ADHD and Autism at the age of 34, revealing the freedom and new perspectives that came with understanding herself better.

* Changing Views on Femininity and Vulnerability:How the diagnoses reshaped her perception of femininity and vulnerability, leading to a deeper understanding and acceptance of herself.

* Unmasking and Embracing the Labels: Traci shares how she embraces her diagnoses, finding empowerment and a sense of identity in the labels that she once feared.

* Blossoming Confidence: We discuss how her confidence has blossomed since receiving her diagnoses, highlighting the positive impact of self-discovery and self-acceptance.

* Life Before and After: Traci offers insights into her life before the diagnoses and the profound shifts she has noticed since, revealing a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.



Join us as we celebrate Traci's journey and reflect on the power of self-discovery and acceptance. This episode is a testament to the power of self-acceptance and growth, highlighting the importance of embracing our true selves.







Traci Neal is a neurodivergent spoken word artist listed on Poets & Writers residing in Columbia, SC. She is featured in The New York Times, Mahogany (Hallmark) writing community, The Elevation Review, 1619 Speaks Anthology in 2023 (Sims Library of Poetry), and many other media publications. In 2023, she was a Pushcart Prize Nominee for The Elevation Review, longlisted for the African Diaspora Award with Kinsman Quarterly, the second-place poetry winner of the National Career Development Association, and the second-place poetry winner of the South Carolina Career Development Association. Neal uses her poetry platform to help bring awareness to non-profits in need worldwide.



Connect with Traci Neal:



* Website: www.tracinealspeakerpoet.com









Register for the "Uncaped" Virtual Workshop: Join us for a transformative experience where we'll redefine strength, let go of hyper-independence, and step into our true power. Reserve your spot today.



Join SOS Sista Circle Waitlist: Ready to break free from "I gotta do it all by myself" and embrace sistahood and community? Get on the waitlist for the Shades of Strong (SOS) Sista Circle and be the first to know when enrollment starts. Join a community of Black women redefining strength and support. This is a chance for you to connect with like-minded women on a journey of balance and fulfillment. Your journey to sisterhood starts here!



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My strong is confronting the mother wound with resilience and grace.







Heeeeyyy!!!  Shirl and Natty here! Today, we're joined by Alyson Brown for a deep dive into a topic that deeply resonates with a lot of  Black women, the mother wound.



Alyson walks us through what it is, how it impacts us, and strategies for healing.



We know that navigating the complexities of our relationships with our mothers can be challenging; and society often portrays Black women as strong and invincible, but we’re here to acknowledge that we also carry wounds that need healing.



Episode Highlights:



* Defining the Mother Wound: We discuss what the mother wound is and how it manifests in our lives, shaping our identities and relationships.

* Navigating and Healing: Our guest, Alyson Brown, shares her personal journey of navigating and healing from the mother wound, offering insights and wisdom.

* Perpetuating the Strong Black Woman Trope: We explore how the mother wound contributes to the strong Black woman stereotype, affecting our mental health and well-being.

* Correlation with Religion: Alyson shines a light on how religious upbringing can influence our relationships with our mothers and our views on strength and vulnerability.



Join us for this heartfelt conversation as we acknowledge the complexities of the mother wound and explore pathways to healing. This episode is a reminder that it’s okay to confront our vulnerabilities and seek healing, ultimately embracing our strength as Black women.







Alyson Brown is the creator of Healing From A Mother Wound, and the host of Shades of Brown Podcast. She is a mother wound healing coach who advocates for emotional wellness & healthy family relationships. She’s been featured on the Woman Evolve podcast and honored by Impact Magazine. Alyson is quite intentional about being a safe space for anyone she interacts with, and her podcast and mother wound healing coaching are extensions of that – safe spaces where people are seen, heard, and valued.



Connect with Alyson Brown:



* Website: www.everythingalyb.com

* IG/FB/YouTube: @everythingalyb

* TikTok: @motherwoundhealer









Register for the "Uncaped" Virtual Workshop: Join us for a transformative experience where we'll redefine strength, let go of hyper-independence, and step into our true power. Reserve your spot today.



Join SOS Sista Circle Waitlist: Ready to break free from "I gotta do it all by myself" and embrace sistahood and community? Get on the waitlist for the Shades of Strong (SOS) Sista Circle and be the first to know when enrollment starts. Join a community of Black women redefining strength and support. This is a chance for you to connect with like-minded women on a journey of balance and fulfillment. Your journey to sisterhood starts here!



Join the Community: Join the Shades of Strong Email List, our community of like-minded Black women empowering themselves and each other. Stay in the loop on new episodes and access to insightful discussions, resources,

My strong is acknowledging my mistakes and holding myself accountable.







Hey there, it's Shirl and Natty! In this episode, we dive deep into a topic that hits close to home: acknowledging our vulnerabilities and mistakes, and the importance of taking accountability, especially within our Black female community.



We know how challenging it can be to navigate the pressures and expectations placed on us as Black women. Society often tells us that we have to be strong all the time, but we're here to say that it's okay to show our vulnerabilities and own up to our mistakes.



Episode Highlights:



* Embracing Imperfection: Let's talk about why it's okay to not get it right every time and why strength is found in our ability to learn from our mistakes.

* The Power of Acknowledgment: We share personal stories and insights on how acknowledging our mistakes can lead to personal growth and empowerment.

* Breaking Toxic Patterns: Explore how accountability can help us break free from harmful cycles, paving the way for self-compassion and forgiveness.



Join us in this candid conversation as we explore what it means to be accountable, not just to others, but to ourselves. This episode is a reminder that our vulnerabilities are not weaknesses but a testament to our strength as Black women







Register for the "Uncaped" Virtual Workshop: Join us for a transformative experience where we'll redefine strength, let go of hyper-independence, and step into our true power. Reserve your spot today.



Join the Community: Join the Shades of Strong Email List, our community of like-minded Black women empowering themselves and each other. Stay in the loop on new episodes and access to insightful discussions, resources, and practical tips for Black women, addressing their unique challenges and celebrating their resilience.



Connect on Social Media: Follow Shades of Strong on social media for content exploring the Black female experience and stay updated on the latest episodes and community events. We’re @shadesofstrong across all platforms.



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