In this episode of Black-Liberation.Tech, Dr. Renée reflects on childhood friendships, neighborhood connections, and the art of building community—from knocking on doors to asking the right questions. As the only girl in a house of brothers, she had to learn how to build her own circle of sisterhood.

She also dives into how books—especially those by Terry McMillan, Maya Angelou, Zora Neale Hurston, and Cicely Tyson—shaped her understanding of relationships, emotional labor, and self-worth. Through stories and observations, this episode invites you to consider how you and your daughters build friendships, navigate social cues, and learn how to be in relationship with others—on purpose.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Community-building is intentional. Teaching girls how to introduce themselves, ask questions, and initiate friendships lays a foundation for strong social skills and confidence.
• Books shape our relational intelligence. Stories by Black women authors help us understand the complexity of relationships, resilience, and personal growth.
• Friendship is a practice. Just like reading or riding a bike, kids must learn—and practice—how to interact, listen, and communicate clearly.
• Observation is a teacher. Whether through real-life examples or fictional characters, we learn how to engage others by watching how people handle love, loss, conflict, and joy.

🪞Reflective Questions

1. How are your daughters (or nieces/students) learning to make friends? Are they the ones initiating connection?
2. What books helped you understand yourself or others better? What did they teach you about love, boundaries, or resilience?
3. Do your children know how to recognize when a friendship isn’t working—and do they feel empowered to speak up?
4. How are you modeling community-building and friendship for the young people in your life?
5. How do you help young girls notice social cues, navigate discomfort, and create space for honest conversations?