Why Black Women Need Friends Who Truly See Them

Black women friendships are powerful, but sometimes the support
we give and receive doesn’t fully meet our needs,  leaving
us feeling unseen and unheard. In this week’s episode of the
Shades of Strong Podcast, we explore why supportive friendships
matter, and what  to do when the support isn’t giving what
it’s supposed to give.  Black women deserve friendships that
truly see them. Inspired by a powerful scene from Being
Mary Jane, we explore:


The emotional labor many of us carry alone

The gaps in mismatched support

The importance of safe spaces where we can let our guard down
and just be

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

The emotional toll of being “the strong one” and why it
leaves us drained.

How mismatched support keeps Black women feeling isolated.

The importance of safe spaces where you’re seen, heard, and
held.

Why naming your needs through Support Languages is the first
step toward real connection.

Key Takeaways:

Most people mean well but don’t know how to support you in
the ways you need.

Knowing your Support Language closes the gap between the care
you give and the care you receive.

Black women deserve relationships that feel like home—where
support is mutual and meaningful.

Why This Episode Matters:

This episode shines a light on the unique struggles Black women
face when it comes to support while offering a culturally
relevant solution in Support Languages. It’s not just about
pointing out the gaps—it’s about empowering you to close them,
name what you need, and start asking for the support you truly
deserve.


It’s a call to action to stop settling for surface-level support
and start building relationships that feel like home. Because
every Black woman deserves to feel seen, heard, and held—without
judgment, without struggle, and without being dismissed.


This conversation is a powerful step toward creating that
reality.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Take the Support Language Quiz.

Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily inspiration.

www.shadesofstrong.com



Shirl is the creator of Support Languages and host of Shades of
Strong — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black
Woman to Supported Black Woman through language, rest, and real
support.