Dear Melanin KD

Khady Sarr
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Welcome to Dear Melanin KD, a raw, honest, and deeply personal podcast where I, Khady Sarr, take you on a journey through my experiences navigating race, identity, self-worth, love, and growth as a 25-year-old Black woman with West African roots. From overcoming the challenges of being a tall, dark-skinned woman in a society that constantly tries to define beauty standards, to confronting the impact of texturism, colorism, and Black oppression, this podcast explores the complexities of being Black and the emotional, mental, and social hurdles we face every day. In each episode, I dive into the layers of my life, offering real-life reflections on the struggles and triumphs that come with being a first-generation American with Senegalese heritage, who was sent to live in Senegal at a young age. I share intimate stories of the trauma I experienced there, the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, and how returning to America as a pre-teen was a pivotal moment that shaped my self-worth, making me reflect on issues like bullying, self-love, and the fight for acceptance. Expect to hear me unpack the pain of feeling misunderstood, especially in moments of isolation and mental health struggles. Dear Melanin KD is about confronting the fears and doubts that many of us—especially Black women—experience, but also about embracing the beauty of our resilience, self-love, and growth. From exploring the cultural complexities of family dynamics with my West African dad and the societal pressure to meet traditional milestones (like marriage) by a certain age, to tackling personal challenges with self-sabotage, healing, and the pressure to be ‘the strong Black woman,’ this podcast covers it all. In addition, I’ll share the journey of finding my voice—understanding the power and significance of my Black identity and how I continue to unlearn the damage society has done. I’ll talk about relationships, both romantic and familial, and how my experiences with self-worth and the impact of my upbringing have shaped my views on love and connection. You’ll also hear reflections on how beauty standards and cultural expectations—specifically around hair, skin tone, and body type—have affected how I navigate the world. Through episodes on colorism, the pressure to conform, and my own evolution in embracing my natural beauty, I’ll dive into what it means to love oneself in a world that tells us to change. Whether you’re someone who’s also navigating the complexities of identity, trying to overcome the fear of vulnerability, or questioning how you can make it through the tough seasons in life, Dear Melanin KD is a space to reflect, grow, and heal together. Each episode is an invitation to join me as I continue to unearth the layers of my past, work through my present struggles, and look towards the future with hope and faith in divine timing. From learning to accept myself as a dark-skinned woman in a world that often diminishes my worth, to recognizing that sometimes you have to go through the struggle to come out stronger, this podcast is a love letter to every Black woman who has ever doubted her worth, been misunderstood, or struggled to find her place in the world. So, sit back, relax, and tune in as I share my stories, my struggles, and my victories—reminding you that you’re not alone in this journey. There’s space for you to grow, and together we’ll create a community of strength, love, and understanding. Welcome to Dear Melanin KD.

  1. The Push and Pull of Disorganized Attachment - Breaking the Cycle

    04/01/2025

    The Push and Pull of Disorganized Attachment - Breaking the Cycle

    In this episode of Dear Melanin KD, I dive deep into the raw reality of living with a disorganized attachment style—the constant push and pull between craving love and running from it. I unpack how my childhood experiences, shaped by emotional starvation and inconsistent caregiving, still affect my relationships today. I explore the internal battle of wanting deep connections while fearing vulnerability, how I’ve pushed away people who have shown me unwavering love and consistency, and the guilt I feel knowing it’s not fair to them. Even though I haven’t seen some of my closest friends in years, they continue to be there for me, waiting at the end of the tunnel when I finally emerge. But why do I struggle to show up for them in the way I want to? Am I afraid of getting hurt, or is it something deeper? This episode is an honest reflection on the cycle of choosing the wrong people, fearing the right ones, and the deep-seated wounds that make love feel both necessary and terrifying. I also talk about my desire to break free from this cycle because time waits for no one, and I don’t want to live my life wondering what if. If you’ve ever felt trapped between wanting love and fearing it, this episode is for you. Let’s unpack this together.

    7 min
  2. Columbia, Power, and the Weight of Silence

    03/20/2025

    Columbia, Power, and the Weight of Silence

    Being Black at Columbia has always been isolating, but the case of Mahmoud Khalil makes it clear just how disposable we are in these institutions. In this episode, I unpack what it means to exist in a space that was never built for us, to be welcomed for diversity but punished for dissent. Mahmoud, a fellow student, spoke out against genocide, and now the university, the government, and the system itself have turned against him. Columbia preaches justice, free speech, and advocacy, but when those values are put to the test, they crumble under the weight of power and politics. I reflect on the silence of institutions, the way they abandon us when we challenge them, and the constant struggle of navigating spaces that want our presence but not our voices. I share my own experiences of being in classrooms where my people’s suffering is treated as a case study, of feeling the unspoken pressure to assimilate, and of the fear that speaking up comes at a cost. And then there’s Trump, using Mahmoud as another pawn in his racist fear-mongering, while Columbia stands by, complicit. But silence is not an option. This episode is about more than one student—it’s about all of us who have been made to feel expendable in systems that claim to uplift us. It’s about resistance, about speaking up even when it’s risky, and about realizing that if these institutions won’t protect us, we have to protect each other. This is Dear Melanin KD, and I refuse to be silent.

    7 min
  3. “Featurism – The Politics of Our Faces”

    02/25/2025

    “Featurism – The Politics of Our Faces”

    From childhood, many of us were made to feel that certain Black features were more “acceptable” than others. It wasn’t just about skin tone—it was about the size of our noses, the fullness of our lips, the shape of our cheekbones. Featurism, like texturism, is rooted in proximity to whiteness, shaping beauty standards that still impact us today. In this episode of Dear Melanin KD, I unpack the history of featurism—from colonialism to Hollywood to the rise of cosmetic procedures that profit off of Black features while excluding Black people. I also explore the psychological toll it takes and how we can start unlearning these biases, reclaiming the beauty in our faces without seeking validation from a world that was never meant to celebrate us.

    6 min
  4. “Texturism – The Politics of Our Roots”

    02/25/2025

    “Texturism – The Politics of Our Roots”

    Growing up, I didn’t just learn how to style my hair—I learned what was considered “good” and “bad” hair. I felt it in the backhanded compliments, in the pressure to tame my curls, in the unspoken message that my texture needed to be “fixed.” In this episode, I dive deep into texturism—where it comes from, how it shapes our perceptions of beauty and worth, and the ways it still affects us today. From history to personal experiences, I explore how we internalize these messages and, more importantly, how we unlearn them. Because our hair isn’t a problem to solve—it’s a crown to embrace.

    7 min
  5. To My Future Husband

    02/22/2025

    To My Future Husband

    This episode of Dear Melanin KD is a deeply personal letter to my future husband, where I reflect on my own journey and the love I hope to share. I open up about the complexities of who I am, acknowledging that I’m a work in progress, still healing from past experiences. I share my desire for a partner who communicates deeply, leads with wisdom and faith, and is both strong and vulnerable. I talk about my need for mutual love, respect, and building a home rooted in faith and trust. I also emphasize the importance of breaking generational trauma and creating a healthy environment for future children. I express that I’m selective about where I invest my energy, but I’m eager to experience love’s firsts with someone special. This episode is an invitation to my future partner, but it’s also a message of hope for anyone on their own journey of healing and love, reminding them that what’s meant for them is already on its way.

    7 min
  6. A Letter to My Future Child

    02/22/2025

    A Letter to My Future Child

    In this deeply personal episode of Dear Melanin KD, I open my heart in a letter to my future child—someone I have yet to meet but have already loved for so long. I reflect on my journey through loss, healing, and self-forgiveness, sharing the struggles I faced after making one of the hardest decisions of my life. This episode is about growth, about ensuring I become the mother my future child deserves, and about breaking cycles of pain and unworthiness. I also speak on the importance of choosing the right partner—not just for love but for the foundation of a family rooted in strength and protection. If you’ve ever carried the weight of past decisions, questioned your worth, or wondered what healing looks like on the other side of grief, this episode is for you. This is my truth, my love, and my promise—to myself and to my future child.

    11 min
  7. "Microaggressions: Words Hold Weight, Holding People Accountable with Compassion"

    02/22/2025

    "Microaggressions: Words Hold Weight, Holding People Accountable with Compassion"

    In this episode of Dear Melanin KD, I’m diving deep into the topic of microaggressions—those subtle yet harmful comments and actions that can leave a lasting impact. I’ll talk about how these moments have shaped my mental and emotional well-being, and how I’ve been learning to confront them with compassion and accountability rather than anger. I also explore how societal biases and systemic racism feed into these behaviors, and why it’s so important to call people in, not just out. Tune in as we talk about the emotional toll of microaggressions, how we can break the cycle, and what it takes to hold each other accountable while moving forward with empathy.

    8 min
  8. Why I Chose to Become a Therapist Through Social Work- My Journey, My Purpose

    02/22/2025

    Why I Chose to Become a Therapist Through Social Work- My Journey, My Purpose

    In this deeply personal episode of Dear Melanin KD, I open up about my journey to becoming a therapist through social work. I reflect on my childhood experiences, struggles with identity, and the moments that led me to choose a career where I could help others heal. I talk about the emotional challenges I faced growing up as a first-generation American, navigating my Senegalese roots, and how those experiences shaped my mental health. I also share how Dear Melanin KD became a space for my own healing and the healing of others. Through storytelling and vulnerability, I aim to bridge the gap between therapy and community, offering a safe space for people to feel seen and heard. My vision for the future is one where therapy, mentorship, and community work converge to create spaces for Black women and girls to feel safe, supported, and empowered. This episode is not just about my journey to becoming a therapist; it’s about creating a culture of healing and building a community where no one has to struggle alone.

    11 min
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About

Welcome to Dear Melanin KD, a raw, honest, and deeply personal podcast where I, Khady Sarr, take you on a journey through my experiences navigating race, identity, self-worth, love, and growth as a 25-year-old Black woman with West African roots. From overcoming the challenges of being a tall, dark-skinned woman in a society that constantly tries to define beauty standards, to confronting the impact of texturism, colorism, and Black oppression, this podcast explores the complexities of being Black and the emotional, mental, and social hurdles we face every day. In each episode, I dive into the layers of my life, offering real-life reflections on the struggles and triumphs that come with being a first-generation American with Senegalese heritage, who was sent to live in Senegal at a young age. I share intimate stories of the trauma I experienced there, the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, and how returning to America as a pre-teen was a pivotal moment that shaped my self-worth, making me reflect on issues like bullying, self-love, and the fight for acceptance. Expect to hear me unpack the pain of feeling misunderstood, especially in moments of isolation and mental health struggles. Dear Melanin KD is about confronting the fears and doubts that many of us—especially Black women—experience, but also about embracing the beauty of our resilience, self-love, and growth. From exploring the cultural complexities of family dynamics with my West African dad and the societal pressure to meet traditional milestones (like marriage) by a certain age, to tackling personal challenges with self-sabotage, healing, and the pressure to be ‘the strong Black woman,’ this podcast covers it all. In addition, I’ll share the journey of finding my voice—understanding the power and significance of my Black identity and how I continue to unlearn the damage society has done. I’ll talk about relationships, both romantic and familial, and how my experiences with self-worth and the impact of my upbringing have shaped my views on love and connection. You’ll also hear reflections on how beauty standards and cultural expectations—specifically around hair, skin tone, and body type—have affected how I navigate the world. Through episodes on colorism, the pressure to conform, and my own evolution in embracing my natural beauty, I’ll dive into what it means to love oneself in a world that tells us to change. Whether you’re someone who’s also navigating the complexities of identity, trying to overcome the fear of vulnerability, or questioning how you can make it through the tough seasons in life, Dear Melanin KD is a space to reflect, grow, and heal together. Each episode is an invitation to join me as I continue to unearth the layers of my past, work through my present struggles, and look towards the future with hope and faith in divine timing. From learning to accept myself as a dark-skinned woman in a world that often diminishes my worth, to recognizing that sometimes you have to go through the struggle to come out stronger, this podcast is a love letter to every Black woman who has ever doubted her worth, been misunderstood, or struggled to find her place in the world. So, sit back, relax, and tune in as I share my stories, my struggles, and my victories—reminding you that you’re not alone in this journey. There’s space for you to grow, and together we’ll create a community of strength, love, and understanding. Welcome to Dear Melanin KD.

Information

  • Creator
    Khady Sarr
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Dear Melanin KD