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This is part two of the 2 part series - The Alpha Female. If you missed part one, you can catch it here

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

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"God has called me to this space and since the Creator has called me to this space, I'm going to be everything He created me to be - IN. THIS. SPACE."

Special Resources

• Keep up with Ariyanna at @ariijayy_

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