Kara Coulter Klarisa Coulter Founder, Author, & Curator of Safe Spaces for Black Women™
Research Assistant, AHN Foundation
Crystal D. Williams, JD CEO, Your HR Pro
Donia Horton, MEd
Legacy By Donia -
Sis,
This magazine is truly a love letter to Black women. My goal is to bring sistas information that is current, relevant, and relatable.
I created this as an addition to the Safe Spaces for Black Women™ brand with you in mind. This magazine is for the ambitious woman who is constantly becoming, healing, building, and nurturing herself, the one who pours into everyone else and still somehow manages to show up with grace. I see you.
My hope is that each issue feels like an exhale, providing you with a moment to receive validation, encouragement, and elevation.
I want this magazine to evolve into something you look forward to each month, not just for the content, but for how it makes you feel. Seen. Soft. Informed. Inspired. Grounded in your brilliance and encouraged to protect your peace. Thank you for welcoming us into your sacred time.
I hope this issue speaks to your spirit, reminds you of your power, and affirms that this is The Season of You.
With love,
Alicia Nicole
in this issue
Welcome to theJune edition ofAlicia Nicole Magazine: a love offering to everyBlackwoman readyto enterhersoftest, strongest seasonyet This month,we inviteyou to pause, breathe deeply, and reconnectwithyourtrue self. From making space foryourjoyto honoring the quiet strengthyou bring into the lives of others, this issue is designed to speaktoyourspirit. Here iswhatyouwill find inside:
The Season ofYou
The coverstorythat remindsyou this summeris not about doing more, it is about becoming more ofyourself. Let this be the seasonyou chooseyourself, boldlyandwithout apology
Note from the Editor
Aheartfelt message fromAlicia Nicole onwhy this magazine exists and howshe hopes it servesyou.
ForHim,Through Us
In honorof Men’s Health Month,we are spotlighting thevital role Blackwomen playin promotingwellness forthe Blackmen theylove, while remindingyou to prioritizeyourown peace in the process
HabitsThat CenterJoy
Five practices to bringyou backtoyourself. Gentle, intentional shifts that make joynot an escape, butyoureverydayexperience.
Safe Spaces forBlackWomen™ Spotlight
We celebratewomenwho are living out their purposewith intention.Theirjourneys and expertisewill inspireyou to trustyourown timing.
Kara’s Fashion Corner
Acurated collection of thingswe are loving this season, beautyand bold newbeginnings. You deserve softness.You deserve joy.You deserveyou.
Welcome toThe Season ofYou
Alicia Nicole Presents…
This October, Blackwomenwill gatherin the desert foran experience that transcends rest and redefines restoration.The 4thAnnual Relax, Release, & Restore Retreat returns with unmatched intention and elegance, hosted at the fabulous JWMarriott Resort in Palm Desert.
Surrounded bypalm-lined serenity, cascading pools, and breathtaking mountainviews, this four-day, three-night retreat is more than aweekend getaway; it is a declaration.A sacred spacewhere softness is honored, sisterhood is prioritized, and everydetail is designed to nourish the mind, body, and soul. From private Oasis cabanas to soul-stirring conversations, this retreat is curated forthe womanwho gives everything and is nowreadyto receive.
RELAX RELEASE RESTORE R TEAT
RELAX, RELEASE, & RESTORE FAQS
Q:WHO ISTHIS RETREATFOR?
A: ITIS FOR BLACKWOMENWHOARE READYTO LAYITALLDOWN.WHETHERYOU COME ALONE ORWITHASISTER-FRIEND,THIS SPACE IS HERETO HOLDYOU.
Q:WHATIS INCLUDED?
A: FOUR DAYS OFLUXURYACCOMMODATIONS, NOURISHING MEALS, INTIMATE WELLNESS CIRCLES, BREATHWORK,ANDTIMETO BE
A:THEREARE SEVEN SPACES LEFTFORTHEWOMANWHO FEELS READY, NO URGENCY, JUSTASOFTINVITATION. IFYOU HAVEAQUESTIONTHATI HAVE NOTANSWERED HERE, PLEASE KNOWTHATYOU AREALWAYSWELCOMETOASK.THE DOOR IS OPEN,AND IWOULD BE HONOREDTO MEETYOU IN PALM DESERTTHIS OCTOBER.
Q: ISTHISATHERAPYSESSION?
A: NO, SIS.THIS ISATIME OFINTENTIONALRESTINASAFE SPACE FOR BLACKWOMEN™. WILLREFLECTIONTAKE PLACE,YES.WILLRESTORATIONTAKE PLACE?YES. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOTASPACEWHEREWEWILLMANAGE GENERATIONALTRAUMA.THIS ISA SPACE FOR BLACKWOMENTO INTENTIONALLYRESTAND LOVE ON ONEANOTHER.
This Season, This Season, You Choose You You Choose You
By Alicia Coulter, MPH, MSW
By Alicia Coulter, MPH, MSW
Photography by Alicia Photography by Alicia
When I decided to focus this article on you choosing you this season, I did not want to use corny and cliché philosophy Let’s be honest, depending on what is going on in your life, choosing yourself is not always easy Sometimes deciding to say yes to you and no to everyone can put you in a state of loneliness and depression The beauty of it all is that you are doing the hard work, and when you do the hard work, you will reap the benefits. Summer is here, it is radiant, bold, and unapologetically golden, shining its light.
And so should you.
You do not need permission to make this summer, The Season of You. This being the season of you means you elevate your joy, softness, and personal growth.
We spend so much of our lives pouring into others, nurturing, building, and holding it all together. But what would it look like if, just for this season, you gave yourself permission to be your own priority?
Not out of guilt, but out of grace and necessity.
What It Means to Choose You
Choosing yourself is more than manicures and pedicures It is a conscious decision to prioritize your needs, desires, and peace, even when it is inconvenient for others
It looks like:
Saying “no” without a long explanation
Taking up space without shrinking. Creating boundaries and honoring them.
Remember that your productivity does not measure your worth. This season is about remembering that your presence is powerful, even when you are resting. Rest does not mean disappearance; it means only showing up for what elevates and restores you. Habits That Center Your Joy
Let's talk about how joy can become your default, not just a reward.
Here are five habits to help you lean into yourself this season: Wake up for yourself. Do not let the day own you. Begin slowly, with stillness, music, prayer, or sunlight. I start my day with a scripture and a positive affirmation. This allows me the opportunity to start my day with good news and positivity.
Choose pleasure on purpose Wear the fragrance Use the beautiful glass Touch the silk robe Buy the flowers Eat the fruit Even if you are staying at home, splash your favorite scent on yourself Aromatherapy helps regulate your mind and reduces stress.
Protect your peace. Create moments where your soul can breathe. Stay away from people, places, and things that do not regulate your nervous system.
Put rest on your calendar. Not as an afterthought, but as an appointment with your healing True rest is beyond the sleep we get at night; it happens when we recover from what has hindered our rest
Speak life over yourself Out loud Every day Until your inner voice becomes more loving than any compliment, love on you with positive affirmations and words.
How to Say Yes to Yourself
Saying yes to yourself may require you to disappoint others, and that is perfectly acceptable.
The truth is this: you have probably been the dependable one for so long that your absence may feel like betrayal. Allow them to sit with that. You have more important work to do on yourself. Remember, this is the season of you.
Saying yes to yourself may look like:
Leaving the event early so that you can rest.
Hiring support, even if you are fully capable.
Embracing a slower pace.
Releasing what no longer feels aligned, even if it once served you
Choosing you is not a rejection of others It is a return to yourself
Remember, Sis, this summer, you are not an afterthought. You are not in a supporting role.
This is your season. Your time to bloom. To bask. To simply be.
Welcome to The Season of You.
June: Community E
Mind, Money, & Momentum
Mind, Money, & Momentum was a workshop at the Beverly Hull BMO Branch, hosted by the AHN Foundation in partnership with BMO and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, to educate women on the correlation between mindset and financial success.
June: Alicia Nicole Expe
Celebrating Freedom & Flavor
Freedom & Flavor was an unforgettable Alicia Nicole Experience hosted at LINDEN: Los Angeles a Black-owned, chef’d, and operated restaurant. The evening was intimate and intentional. We shared stories, raised our glasses, and passed plates crafted with culture and care. Surrounded by sisterhood, great conversation, and food that fed more than just our bodies, we celebrated Juneteenth in a way that honored our joy, our legacy, and our right to rest and savor. This was not just dinner. This was everything.
Announcing Alicia's Podcast Return
After a much-needed hiatus, the “Hey Sis! With Alicia Nicole” podcast is returning on Tuesday, July 8th! This season, we are celebrating the power, presence, and purpose of Black women who are shifting culture, building legacy, and creating space for us to rise. We have changed the format, and I am excited to introduce it to you here first!! Each episode, I’m sitting down with phenomenal women doing impactful work in their own way, on their own terms, to empower our community.
My first guest is Dr. Cassandre Dunbar. Cassandre Dunbar, M.D. is a professor, wellness educator, and media entrepreneur committed to redefining self-care for Black women. She’s the creator and host of Be Well, Sis -an award-winning podcast that blends science, culture, and storytelling to explore what it means to be well in mind, body, and spirit. With a background in medicine and years of experience teaching anatomy and physiology, Cassandre bridges the gap between clinical knowledge and lived experience. As a mother of two, she brings a deeply personal and relatable lens to wellness one that centers joy, rest, and radical community care.
SPOTLIGHT
What is Safe Spaces for Black Women™?
Safe Spaces for Black Women™ is a movement and the brainchild of Alicia Coulter, MPH, MSW. This movement encompasses sister circles, health equity initiatives, and luxury events. We also provide education to professional spaces with the goal of employee retention and return on investment. Alicia curates SSFBW to provide validation of experiences, offer encouragement that workplace burnout is not typical, and emphasize that elevation within both personal and professional environments is necessary to succeed.
Why Did I Start Curating Safe Spaces for Black Women™?
Safe Spaces for Black Women™ was started from my desire to commune with Black women. To be honest, I only wanted to host one brunch and market to Black women for coaching. After the first brunch, I was convicted and focused my efforts on creating more spaces where it was JUST US. A place where we are the majority, we have a seat at the table, all heads turn when we walk into the room, and we are treated like the queens we are.
What is the Goal of Safe Spaces for
Black Women™?
The goal of Safe Spaces for Black Women™ is to recharge Black women in their current professional environments. My goal is to ensure that Black women leave our sessions feeling worthy of being safe and secure at work through self-care, goal-setting, and intention-setting, as well as building relationships with other Black women.
What is Next for Safe Spaces for Black Women™?
Since 2022, I have created brunches, written a book, and developed multiple signature experiences like Galentine’s in Luxe™, The Sisterhood Retreat™, and Mother’s Day in Luxe™. These experiences have provided Black women with validation, encouragement, and a sense of elevation. I have partnered with Black-owned businesses, including Ridicgood, Mogul Behaviour, Kelsie Lyn, Legends at Law, Yummy Creations, and JMLAKL. I have also partnered with luxury brands such as Jo Malone London, Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom, Estée Lauder, and The Strand House. These partnerships have expanded the Safe Spaces for Black Women™ brand.
In 2026, Safe Spaces for Black Women™ will look different, and I am excited to share with you. The ladies attending the 4th Annual Relax, Release, & Restore Retreat will have early access to the 2026 transition.
I am looking forward to this next phase of what started out as brunches for Black women and has elevated into a lifestyle brand with elite partnerships with luxury brands.
By Klarisa Coulter
In the age of TikTok trends, Instagram reels, and the infinite scroll of digital content, Generation Z is more connected than ever before but not always in the healthiest of ways. With smartphones acting as the modern-day compass guiding nearly every interaction, it’s no surprise that social media has become the primary medium for relationships, work, entertainment, and even self-worth. But as this digital web tightens, an important question arises: What are we missing when we’re always online?
This summer, as the sun shines and school takes a break, Gen Z has an opportunity. Not to double down on screen time, but to step away from it to reconnect with reality, explore the world beyond pixels, and nurture their mental and emotional health. Here’s a look at the digital culture shaping Gen Z’s relationships and identity, and how they can stay active and truly connected this summer, without a screen.
The Digital Shift in Relationships
Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and dating apps have revolutionized human interaction. For Gen Z, many of whom were born into the era of Facebook and raised on the likes of TikTok, online interaction isn’t just common it’s expected. Relationships begin in DMs, crushes bloom through emojis, and friendships are maintained through likes and streaks.
But the problem is subtle and deep. Behind these online interactions lies a facade. Real connections are being increasingly replaced with curated, algorithm-driven communication that prioritizes convenience over authenticity.
Worse, this hyper-connectivity fosters parasocial relationships one-sided emotional investments in influencers, celebrities, and streamers. A teen might feel like they “know” a YouTuber they watch daily, while in reality, that person doesn’t even know they exist. These false intimacies can distort perceptions of real-life relationships, leaving individuals feeling lonelier than ever
How Gen Z Can Stay Active and Reduce Screen Time This Summer
Instead of letting the summer slip by one scroll at a time, Gen Z can take intentional steps to reclaim it. Here are creative, meaningful, and fun ways to stay active while taking a much-needed break from screens:
1. Join a Local Club or Team
From community theater to soccer leagues to environmental volunteering, local groups offer a chance to meet new people IRL. Face-to-face interaction builds empathy, deepens relationships, and boosts emotional intelligence.
2. Host “Phone-Free” Hangouts
Start a trend among your friend group no phones allowed at the park, beach, or movie night. Rediscover what it’s like to talk without distractions. It might feel awkward at first, but it quickly becomes refreshing.
3. Explore Nature
Plan hikes, beach days, or even weekend camping trips. Nature is a natural antidote to tech fatigue. Bonus: it boosts mood, reduces anxiety, and enhances creativity.
4. Take Up a Creative Hobby
Learn guitar, start painting, bake something new every week, or keep a summer journal. These analog activities help redirect focus from screens to hands-on expression and relaxation.
5. Volunteer in the Community
Helping others not only gives a sense of purpose but also connects you with people of different backgrounds and generations something no online comment section can truly provide.
6. Work a Part-Time Job (Offline!)
Try dog walking, babysitting, working at a bookstore or café jobs that don’t require you to stare at a screen. Not only will it keep you active, but it builds skills and independence.
7. Set a Daily Screen Limit
Use digital well-being tools on your phone to monitor screen time. Challenge yourself to cut down by 10% each week, and replace that time with something from this list.
8. Start a “Digital Detox Day”
Pick one day a week where you go completely offline. No social media, no Netflix, no browsing. You’d be surprised how long a day actually is without technology and how peaceful it can feel.
As summer approaches, please focus on the changing of seasons. That can mean literally or figuratively. Fashion is centered around the changing of seasons. Whether that be a trenchcoat for the chilly winter season or a beautiful sunset for the warm spring weather; fashion will always be there to guide what is worn during these seasons. As we transition to the warm temperatures of summer let's reflect on how the change in seasons affect us as humans and in turn reflect on what we buy and wear. During the crispcooler months (October, November, and early December), naturally, we notice how the weather changes and depending where you live the seasons have a larger effect on the nature around you. Throughout this change in season there is also the time change as gradually the days become shorter and season sadness comes in, especially the holiday season. There are multiple reasons to season sadness but one of the main reasons this happens within many people is because of having to leave the vibrant summer closet to the dull and “drab” winter/fall closet. Summer is the season where “less truly is more” as many say and the warm weather encourages people to wear the stylish dress they desire to wear but fall and winter causes many to bundle up and not feel as confident. A HUGE tip I give to anyone who despises their closet in the fall and winter is to incorporate beautiful shades of color that bring life back into your wardrobe.
Color that reminds you of summer and wearing jackets/trench coats that contours your body and makes you feel confident not only in what you are wearing but within yourself. Fall and winter for myself can be a challenge as I start to feel sluggish, although when you take time to plan outfits that are intentional and are not just “thrown together” that is when the sluggish feeling of fall and winter reduces—it does not go away fully but it does reduce. As the seasons go through the next change we reach everyone’s favorite pollinated season Spring! Everyone describes spring as a fresh start and new beginnings from the hibernation of winter as the flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing, and pollen is in the air. This is when fashion becomes much more fun even though March and early April are known as rainy months there are some pockets of sunshine that allow the beautiful outfits to make an appearance. I describe spring fashion for women as delicate and feminine as soft colors like lilac, pastel yellow, baby pink, and sky blue are the main colors with a hint of green.
Beautiful dresses and sandals with a light shawl in case the breeze does make an appearance. Bold colors are also welcome like bright pinks, greens, and oranges to break up the light pastels in your outfits. Lastly, the season we are embarking right now Summer and how fashion within summer is truly my favorite. Summer is when you put the shawls away and replace them for [classy] sarongs, long dresses that flow, and sun-hats. I love a cute purse that has a wicker like texture due to this looking like a beach bag or having a clutch that looks like a seashell. Attention to detail is what summer is to me as accessories with pearls and cowries adds the coastal detail many people desire to achieve within summer. Matching sets are perfect for summer with sandals or a wedge or anything flowy (pants, dresses, shorts, or shirts) to make sure you have adequate ventilation during those sweltering days especially for vacation. The closet will always have to change when the seasons change and even though some seasons may not be desirable, finding what makes you confident in those seasons either in or out the house will bring excitement into everyday and make the seasons much more enjoyable.
Following last month’s message on the importance of mental health in the world of civil service, I want to offer HR professionals, and other stakeholders, a checklist to see how you and your organization help support mental well-being across the workplace.
Awareness is the first step, but action must follow. You are making meaningful progress if you are listening to staff, reviewing internal support structures, and identifying gaps in how we respond to mental health needs. Has your organization implemented targeted enhancements in the following three key areas: accessibility, training, and culture?
Accessibility: Are you working to ensure all employees, regardless of role or location, can access support services easily and confidentially? This includes strengthening Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), expanding virtual mental health support, and improving awareness of how to use these resources.
Training: Managers and supervisors are often the first line of support. Have you provided additional training modules to help them recognize early signs of stress and respond with empathy and clarity? Peer support programs and mental health first aid training are also being introduced in organizations. This helps get everyone involved on all levels.
Culture: Perhaps most importantly, organizations must foster a workplace culture where openness, respect, and mental wellness are part of daily life. This includes normalizing conversations about mental health and celebrating moments when staff demonstrate care and compassion toward one another.
These changes are not just initiatives they are commitments to continued actions. Mental health must be woven into the fabric of how we lead, manage, and support one another. Every employee deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported in their work environment.
As we move forward, I invite you to be part of this cultural shift. Whether by checking in with a colleague, setting healthy boundaries around your own workload, or simply being open to listening, each of us has a role to play in creating a healthier, more connected civil service and workplace.
Crystal is an accomplished, forward-thinking human resources leader with over 30 years of experience impacting and leading all areas of HR in private and public sectors. She champions an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive and feel good about their place of employment.
Crystal is the CEO of CDW Pro Consulting LLC. She conducts workplace investigations, and she provides affordable advocacy and mediation services for employees who are the subject of an investigation.
CRYSTAL D. WILLIAMS, J.D CEO & HR EXECUTIVE
As the long days of summer stretch before us, there's more than just a change in weather in the air there’s opportunity. While we often associate summer with carefree vacations, beach outings, and backyard BBQs, this sunny season can also be a surprisingly ideal time to revisit and refresh your financial health.
Why summer? The slower pace, the seasonal shift in spending habits, and the mid-year calendar check-in all create a natural opening to evaluate where you are financially and more importantly, where you want to go.
Here’s why summer is your season for financial self-care and how to make the most of it.
1. Sunlight, Sanity, and Spending Smarter
Summer naturally encourages outdoor living walks in the park, picnics with friends, and local adventures, which often cost far less than winter’s spend-heavy social calendar
Take advantage of free or low-cost community events like concerts, festivals, and outdoor yoga Replace a few expensive outings each month with these, and you’ll see your entertainment budget stretch significantly Make a list of free summer experiences in your city and challenge yourself (and your family or friends) to explore a new one each weekend.
2. Mid-Year Money Reset
Just like a mid-year skin detox, summer offers a financial “half-time” an opportunity to review your progress, recalibrate your goals, and realign your habits before the holiday spending surge.
Review your budget, track your expenses, and revisit your New Year’s resolutions. Are you on track for your savings goals? Have unexpected expenses derailed your plans? Summer is a perfect time to re-strategize.
Take a morning to sit on your patio with a coffee and your budget app it’s financial self-care with Vitamin D.
3. Seasonal Side Hustles
From pet-sitting for vacationers to part-time work at summer events, warm weather brings a wealth of temporary gigs that can help boost your income without draining your energy. If you’re saving for a specific goal like a holiday trip or debt payoff summer is the season to get creative with low-effort side income Think tutoring, selling gently-used clothes, or freelance projects that align with your passions
Even an extra $200 a month can have a huge impact when funneled into a savings account or used to chip away at debt.
4 Declutter for Dollars
Summer is synonymous with cleaning out closets and refreshing your space, and your unwanted items could become someone else’s treasure.
Host a garage sale or sell on platforms like Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. It’s an easy way to earn cash and feel mentally lighter.
Use that extra cash to treat yourself or invest it your future self will thank you.
5. Reframe Vacation Vibes
Yes, summer is often peak travel time, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, with a little planning, it can be a great time to travel smarter and spend mindfully.
Be flexible with dates, book mid-week flights, or consider a staycation where you explore your own city. It’s about the experience, not the expense.
Bonus tip! Set up a summer vacation fund with automatic deposits. Even $10 a week can add up over the season.
Summer Is Self-Care Financially, Too
At its core, summer invites us to live more intentionally to spend time outdoors, connect with what matters, and slow down
Apply those same principles to your finances: be present with your spending, intentional with your goals, and gentle with yourself as you grow.
Final Thought: Just like SPF protects your skin, smart financial habits protect your future. So while you ' re soaking up the sun, don’t forget to shine a little light on your budget, your goals, and your money mindset.
Because true confidence comes not just from how you look in your summer dress, but from the peace of mind that comes with financial freedom.
Summer Financial Checklist:
Revisit your budget & adjust for seasonal changes
Explore free or low-cost activities
Start a summer side hustle
Sell unused items for quick cash
Review your financial goals & reset where needed
Begin (or boost) a vacation or emergency fund
IS IT THYROID DISEASE OR MENOPAUSE?
Sis, I have been on social media viewing all of the influencers “educating” women on menopause symptoms. What if I told you that what you are experiencing may not be menopause? In 2023, I was 25 lbs heavier than I had ever been in my life even with working out 6 times a week, eating clean, and just doing all of the things. I went to my OBGYN and asked for a FULL HORMONE PANEL. She checked the following hormone levels: Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, Thyroid Hormones (T3, T4, & TSH), and my Thyroid Antibodies. EverythingIs It Thyroid Disease or Menopause
What if I told you that what you are experiencing may not be menopause? In 2023, I was 25 pounds heavier than I had ever been in my life, despite working out six times a week, eating clean, and doing all the right things. I went to my OBGYN and asked for a FULL HORMONE PANEL. She checked the following hormone levels: Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, Thyroid Hormones (T3, T4, & TSH), and my Thyroid Antibodies. Everything was normal except my thyroid antibodies. To put this into perspective, a normal thyroid antibody level is <9; mine was>900! I had full-blown Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid. This disease gave me all the symptoms of menopause without menopause.
Sis, imagine if I had thought my weight gain was because I am almost 50 and possibly menopausal? After my OBGYN confirmed my diagnosis (Dx) was Hashimoto’s, she told me, “You could have another baby if you want to.” Her words confirmed that I was nowhere near menopause. I thought the night sweats were another sign that I was in menopause. Nope. That is another symptom of thyroid disease that I had no clue of.
You will not know if you are dealing with thyroid disease or menopause based on your symptoms. It is easy to brush off hot flashes, weight gain, irritability, and all the things as menopause, but sis, I promise you, what seems like menopause is not always menopause.
The only way you will confirm if you are managing thyroid disease or menopause is to get tested.
Why Knowing Your Status is Important
Unfortunately, because of the unclear and overlapping symptoms, thyroid disease can often go undetected for years. This can lead to a damaged thyroid, and since the thyroid is our body’s master gland that communicates with the rest of the body, we want to keep it as healthy as possible. When communicating with your physician, request a comprehensive thyroid panel and a full hormone panel. These tests will confirm if you are in menopause and/or if your thyroid is not functioning as it is supposed to.
Often, women’s health issues are brushed off and not given the necessary attention that is needed. At Alicia Nicole Magazine, we will continue to provide health education on concerns that affect Black women and Black girls.
Sis, if you are over 30 and you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, please request a thyroid and hormone panel from your physician. This advocacy saved my life and could save yours.
Symptoms of Menopause and Thyroid Issues
For Him, Through Us: Black Women and the Backbone
of Black Men’s Health
June is Men’s Health Month: A time to raise awareness about preventable health issues and encourage early detection and treatment for men across the country. But for many of us, especially in Black families and communities, the conversation around men’s health often begins with us, Black women.
We are the ones who schedule the appointments, remind them to drink water, encourage them to rest, read labels at the grocery store, and pay attention to symptoms they might dismiss. We nudge, we notice, we insist, because we love them.
Whether it is our sons, husbands, lovers, fathers, uncles, brothers, or friends, Black men often rely on us to navigate systems that weren't made for them. From making sure they get routine check-ups to sitting with them during recovery, Black women are consistently the bridge between Black men and their wellness.
This is not to romanticize the emotional labor we undertake, but to honor the quiet strength, intuition, and persistence we bring to the role. We have always been our community’s greatest advocates.
What Black Women Should Know
Here are a few key facts to help you keep encouraging the men you love:
Black men have the shortest life expectancy of any group in the United States. Much of this stems from preventable or manageable conditions like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and prostate cancer.
Routine screenings save lives. Encourage regular physicals, especially for men over 40. Prostate exams, cholesterol checks, blood pressure monitoring, and mental health screenings are essential.
Mental health matters. Therapy is not weakness. It is wellness. Help normalize emotional support, especially in environments where vulnerability has been discouraged.
What they eat matters. Many chronic illnesses stem from diet. Encourage meals that reduce salt, sugar, and red meat while increasing fiber, water, and fresh fruits and vegetables.
Exercise is critical. Invite them for walks. Encourage movement. Even 30 minutes a day can transform long-term health outcomes.
Keep Supporting, but Do Not Forget Yourself
Black women, we do so much. So, while this month is focused on the health of our men, let this also be a gentle reminder: support them, yes, but not at the cost of your own wellness.
Your health matters just as much.
Let your love be rooted in encouragement, not martyrdom. Continue to show up with information, intention, and care, but remember to replenish yourself in the process.
We are the backbone, yes. But even a backbone needs rest, nourishment, and tenderness. This month, let us continue to love them well and love ourselves too.
GETTHEBOOK!
Safe Spaces for Black Women is Alicia’s love letter to Black women. Having survived workplace abuse through validation, encouragement, and elevation, she took the initiative to provide a roadmap for Black women to not only survive but thrive through and beyond the trauma. Have you read Safe Spaces for Black Women yet? If not, check out what people are saying on Amazon or Barnes & Noble Online and then purchase a copy!
