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:

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.

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.