Black Women and Burnout with Kelley Bonner, Host of the Black Girl Burnout Podcast
In this thought-provoking episode of the Holistic Wealth podcast with Keisha Blair, we have an inspiring conversation on Black women and burnout with special guest, Kelley Bonner, founder of Burn Bright Consulting and award-winning host of the Black Girl Burnout podcast. Through her work, Kelley provides a framework for leaders to understand the deeper organizational issues that lead to symptoms of burnout and how to solve them at their core. Having served on the Gender Policy Committee for the White House as well as the International Women’s Economic Security Council, Kelley’s work has impacted culture and policy across the globe.
She was also hand-picked by the Biden Administration to develop a national framework for workplace safety and harassment. Kelley is a thought leader in the realm of sexual assault, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Kelley shares her personal journey, shedding light on the challenges Black women face, the barriers they have to overcome, and strategies and tips to reduce and prevent burnout.
In a previous episode of the Holistic Wealth podcast, we discussed why Holistic Wealth is the Antidote to Burnout. Check out our previous episode on the Billion-Dollar Cost of Misalignment and Why Black Women Pay It. In the new Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated book, racism in the workplace and how it affects Black women is also explored.
Black Women and Burnout with Kelley Bonner, Host of the Black Girl Burnout Podcast
Reasons for the high incidence of burnout among Black women include:
- Intersectionality and Multiple Marginalizations: We explore how intersectionality plays a role in the higher rates of burnout among Black women. The combination of racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination creates a heavy burden, as Black women navigate various marginalized identities simultaneously.
- Historical and Generational Trauma: Historical and generational trauma has a profound impact on the well-being of Black women. We discuss the lasting effects of slavery, racial violence, and systemic racism, and how these experiences contribute to chronic stress and burnout.
- Stereotypes and Double Standards: Societal stereotypes and double standards place additional pressure on Black women, leading to burnout. We delve into the expectations of strength, resilience, and perfection that Black women often face, and how these unrealistic standards can take a toll on mental and emotional well-being.
- Workplace Discrimination and Microaggressions: Workplace discrimination and microaggressions contribute to the higher rates of burnout among Black women. We discussed the challenges Black women face in professional environments, including racial bias, limited career advancement opportunities, and the emotional toll of navigating predominantly white spaces.
- Emotional Labor and Caregiving Responsibilities: Black women often bear the burden of emotional labour and caregiving responsibilities, both within and outside the workplace. We discussed how this additional workload can contribute to burnout, as Black women juggle multiple roles and sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of others.
- Lack of Access to Resources and Support: Limited access to resources and support systems exacerbates the risk of burnout among Black women. We discussed the disparities in healthcare, mental health services, and socioeconomic opportunities, discussing the need for equitable access to support and resources.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why Black women suffer higher rates of burnout including sexism, racism historical and generational trauma and general lack of support resources.
- Kelley’s personal journey and experience with burnout, and how she coped with it.
- Kelley’s experience as a full-time employee, and the lessons we can all use in the workplace after COVID, especially for Black and minority women.
- Kelley’s thoughts on thriving through a global pandemic, and how Black women can thrive in the workplace or business.
- Learn some tips and strategies to deal with financial burnout.
Listen to the Full Episode:
Featured on the Show:
- Check out Kelley’s websites at: https://kelleybonner.com/ and https://burnbrightconsulting.com/
- Check out the Black Girl Burnout Podcast at: https://kelleybonner.com/podcast
Visit www.keishablair.com
