Black Women Healing Resources

A collection of articles, podcasts, videos, songs and books on various topics.

Black Joy as Resistance

“How One Woman Started a Movement with #BlackGirlMagic,” by Cate
“Why Black Joy is Absolutely Necessary,” by Christy DeGallerie

Black Rest as Reparations

“Reparations for Black People Should Include Rest,” by Janine Francias
“These Artists Want Black People to Sleep,” by Sarah Burke

Black Women as Proclamation

My Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self Love, by Sonya Renee Taylor
“Bodies As Resistance: Claiming the Political Act of Being Oneself,” by Sonya Renee Taylor
The Sisters Are Alright : Changing the Broken Narrative of Black Women, by Tamara Winfrey Harris

Birthing Change (healing our most vulnerable wounds)

Revolutionary Mothering: Love on the Front Lines, Edited by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, China Martens, and Mai’a Williams

Candomblé

A Refuge in Thunder: Candomblé and Alternative Spaces of Blackness by Dr. Rachel E. Harding
A Refuge in Thunder: Dr. Rachel Harding – YouTube Video
https://youtu.be/V2vqtZP_2t0
Afro-Brazilian Religion, Resistance and Environmental Ethics: A Perspective from Candomblé by Valdina Oliveira Pinto and Dr. Rachel E. Harding
Candomblé Reconsidered: A Sacred Matters Interview [with Dr. Rachel Harding]
Makota Valdina Pinto: Candomblé Cosmology and Environmental Education translated and edited by Dr. Rachel Harding
Yemanjá: Wisdom from the African Heart of Brazil by Donna C. Roberts and Donna Reed, narrated by Alice Walker
Yemanjá: This documentary celebrates the women who lead Bahia’s once-secret Afro-Brazillian religion by Andrew S. Vargas

Crystals/Stones

View The List Recommended by Sis Laurie Green
  • Alabaster
  • Amazonite
  • Carnelian
  • Mother of Pearl
  • Rose Quartz
  • Smokey Quartz

Emotional Healing

Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower, by Brittney Cooper

Healing Arts (poems and prose, art and movement therapy)

Neon Soul, by Alexandra Elle
Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth, by Warsan Shire
Spill : Scenes of Black Feminist Fugitivity, by Alexis Pauline Gumbs

Healthy Relationships

Black. Queer. Southern. Women.: An Oral History, by E. Patrick Johnson
"Black Trans Talk (with Diamond Stylz)” by Tea with Queen and J.

Intersectionality

“The Urgency of Intersectionality,” Kimberlé Crenshaw

Making HERStory (biographies, memoirs)

Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women & Feminism, by bell hooks
Becoming, by Michelle Obama
The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
The Last Black Unicorn, by Tiffany Haddish
The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, by Issa Rae
Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More, by Janet Mock
Sister Outsider, by Audre Lorde
We’re Going to Need More Wine, by Gabrielle Union
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir, by Patrisse Khan-Cullors & Asha Bandele
Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand IN The Sun and Be Your Own Person, by Shonda Rhimes
Zami: A New Spelling of My Name, by Audre Lorde

Making Self-Care Accessible

Making Space for the QTPoC Self in the Self-Care Movement, by Dom Chatterjee
8 Mental Health and Self-Care Resources for QTPoC, by Danielle Dorsey
11 Therapy Podcasts That Offer Professional- Level Self Care From the Comfort Of Your Own Home, by Mika Doyle

Making Theory our Reality (making academic thought more accessible)

Sister Outsider, by Audre Lorde
This Bridge Called My Back, Edited by Cherrie Moraga and Gloria Anzaldua

Meditation

Becoming Enlightened by Dali Lama
The Glorious Light Meditation Technique of Ancient Egypt (Oldest Meditation System in History, from Ancient Egypt) by Muata Ashby
How To Be Here by Rob Bell
The Kemetic Tree of Life Ancient Egyptian Metaphysics and Cosmology for Higher Consciousness by Muata Ashby
Meditation For African Americans Igniting the Inner Light by U-Shaka Ra-Nebu Anpu
Meditation: The Ancient Egyptian Path to Enlightenment by Muata Ashby
The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Mediation by Chogyam Trungpa
The True Source of Healing by Tenzin Wangyal Rinoche

Podcasts For Black Women

Balanced Black Girl by Lestraundra Alfred
Black Girl Podcast by Scottie Beam, Gia Peppers, Sapphira, Bex, and Alysha P.
Clever Girls Know! by Bola Sokunbi
Getting’ Grown by Keia and Jade
Halfway Bougie by Perri Furbert and Courtney Roberts
H.E.R. [Healing, Empowerment, and Resilience] Space: Uplifting Conversations for the Black Woman by Terri Lomax and Dr. Dominique Broussard
Introverted Black Girl Podcast
Jesus & Jollof by Luvvie Ajayi and Yvonne Oriji
Rants & Randomness by Luvvie Ajayi
She’s Got Drive: Black Women Talk About Success and How They Achieved It by Shirley McAlpine
Side Hustle Pro by Nicaila Matthews Okome
Spiritpreneur School: Spiritual Business for Entrepreneurs by Abiola Abrams
The Broomstick Podcast: Weddings, Marriage, and Life for Women of Color by Natalie Edwards
The Glow Up Podcast by Lené Hypolite
Therapy for Black Girls by Joy Harden Bradford, PhD.

Reclaiming our Time (black women as political)

"Black Ass Feminism” by Tea with Queen and J.
"Sustaining Ourselves When Confronting Violence,” by Kandace Montgomery

Listen below or go to the website.

"Womanist Race Nerds of Wakanda” by Tea with Queen and J.

Reproductive Justice

“At the Intersection of Faith and Reproductive Justice,” by Sabin Blaizin

“Let’s Talk About Sex and Reproductive Justice,” by Amie Newman
“Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Voices: The State of Black Women and Reproductive Justice”
Radical Reproductive Justice: Foundation, Theory, Practice, Critique, Edited by Loretta Ross, Erika Derkas, and Whitney Peoples
“RJ Founding Mothers”
The Color of Choice: White Supremacy and Reproductive Choice,” by Loretta J. Ross

Resisting White Supremacy as Healing

“Healing Justice is How We Can Sustain Black Lives,” by Prentis Hemphill
If You’re Black, Rest Is Power, by Michael Love Michael
"Ratchet Black Politics and Disrespectful Black Feminism,” by Dr. Brittney Cooper
Reparations for Black People Should Include Rest, by Janine Francois
"Resistance & Brunch,” by Tea with Queen and J.
"Surviving Toxic Whiteness" by Tea with Queen and J.
"White Supremacy Doesn't Care About Your Edges” by Tea with Queen and J.

Scents

View The List Recommended by Sis Laurie Green
  • Frankincense
  • Patchouli
  • Sandalwood
  • Lavender
  • Geranium
  • Bergamot

Sexual Healing

"Black Ass Sexuality (with Ev'Yan Whitney)” by Tea with Queen and J.
Longing to Tell Black Women Talk About Sexuality and Intimacy, by Tricia Rose

Social Media Handles, etc. for Black Women (resources, tips, inspiration, and more)

View The List

Spiritual Healing

Acts of Faith: Daily Meditations for People of Color, by Iyanla Vanzant

Yoga

The 6 Qualities of Consciousness by Danny Arguetty
The Bagavad Gita by Winthrop Sargeant/Barbara Stoler Miller
The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel A. Van der Kolk
Light on Life by B.K.S Iyengar
Overcoming Trauma Through Yoga by David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper
Present Moment-Wonderful Moment by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi
The Tree of Yoga by B.K.S Iyengar
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Chip Hartranft