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.