LISTEN NOW: ITUNES//SPOTIFY//ANCHOR

This is part one of a 2 part series on a topic that so often gets overlooked. We, as a society, have gotten so accustomed to the gender struggle between women and men. We've done so much to ensure that women get a spot at the table with men, that we have merely disregarded the strife between Caucasian women and African American women in the professional sector. It's a battle - the battle of The Alpha Female.

On this episode, Damesha spoke with Ariyanna Simmons, scholar and activist, on the profound dynamics of The Alpha Female. As an Alpha Female herself, Ariyanna has worked diligently to facilitate space in her professional and academic career for African American women to feel empowered to thrive on the path God has laid forth before them.

Damesha and Ariyanna discuss:

- Being a woman in a male dominated field

"We have to carve out spaces for us to exist and then be confident enough to stay there."

-The difficulties Black women face with White women

• Intersectionality

• The necessity of advocating for yourself

-The Exhaustion

• Learning how to "take up space"

• The opposition we face when we make the decision to proceed

"Self-care is revolutionary."

-Can Black women be oppressors too?

• The dismissal of the realities of other Black people because it looks different from your experience perpetuates the silencing, leading to further oppression.

• Facilitate space for people to own their experiences.

-Dichotomy between work spaces and academic spaces

• Comfort in one and discomfort in the other depending on the structure

• Remember you have been placed in each space for a reason.

• White allyship

Special Resources

• Keep up with Ariyanna at @ariijayy_

• Check out the blog "The Truth About Black Women in the Workplace" that Damesha mentioned here