What’s Behind This Exodus?

This departure didn’t happen in isolation. It’s the result of intersecting pressures — inflation, student debt, program cuts, and underrepresentation in high-growth sectors like technology. Compounding the issue is the erosion of professional networks and mentorship opportunities that once served as vital lifelines for Black women navigating the workplace.

According to LinkedIn’s Meg Garlinghouse, 70% of professionals are hired through existing connections, yet many Black women continue to face “network gaps.” The widespread dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across industries has only deepened these divides, cutting off access to mentorship, sponsorship, and advancement. Meanwhile, the rise of AI-driven hiring has further narrowed pathways to opportunity.

The Cost of Losing Black Women in the Workforce

The backlash against DEI initiatives has sparked a troubling rollback of the very policies that helped Black women gain ground in historically exclusionary environments. Under the current administration, DEI positions were among the first eliminated across federal agencies affecting over 12% of the Black female workforce.

In the private sector, inclusive hiring and mentorship initiatives — often deemed “DEI-adjacent” — have been quietly scaled back or dissolved. Job postings for DEI roles dropped 43% from 2022 to 2024, and many employee resource groups (ERGs) have shuttered, leaving Black workers without crucial support systems. These reversals come at a moment when connection, sponsorship, and advocacy are needed most.

The impact extends far beyond the individual. From February to June 2025, the labor force participation rate for Black women fell 1.8 percentage points, resulting in an estimated $37.2 billion loss to the U.S. GDP. The sharpest decline came in February, when 266,000 Black women left the labor force in a single month.

Why Mentorship Matters More Than Ever

Mentorship remains one of the most powerful tools for professional advancement. For Black women, having a mentor can expand networks, boost confidence, and provide critical guidance for navigating racial and gender bias at work.

For companies, mentorship pays dividends too — reducing turnover, strengthening culture, and preserving institutional knowledge. When mentors pass down experience and leadership values, they help cultivate stronger, more resilient organizations.

Reclaiming Support and Building Back

If you’re a Black woman facing job loss or feeling overlooked in a post-DEI workplace, you’re not alone. There are organizations committed to helping you rebuild and thrive:

• Black Career Women’s Network (BCWN): Provides culturally informed coaching, leadership training, and strategic career development.
• The Sadie Collective: Supports Black women and nonbinary professionals in economics, finance, data, and public policy, fostering mentorship and representation.

Equally important is reconnecting with your personal network former coworkers, college friends, and Black women business owners in your community. These relationships can spark new opportunities and restore confidence. Inspiration can also come from the stories of Black women leaders who’ve paved the way.

There’s immense wisdom within our own communities. To rebuild, we must lean on each other, invest in mentorship, and make sure Black women reclaim and redefine their rightful place in the workforce.

The post The Great Exodus: Why Black Women Are Leaving the Workforce appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

And while some painted Laveau as a raggedy hag preying on the superstitious, it turns out she was quite the opposite. Laveau rose to fame as a healer and herbalist who sought to preserve Voodoo as an African belief system, melding its religious ceremonies with the sacraments and iconography of Catholicism. Her practices, along with her enigmatic persona, ensured that her legacy as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans remains untarnished while still being shrouded in mystery.

Halloween is here and this is the perfect opportunity to discuss six true but spine-tingling facts about Marie Laveau:

She Was a Voodoo Queen

Marie Laveau is believed to have been born as a free woman of color near the end of the 18^th century in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and many have described her as a devout Catholic who went to mass every day of her life. However, by 1830, she became one of several Voodoo Queens of Louisiana—with many speculating that she either learned Voodoo practices from her mother and grandmother, while others believe she learned the mystical religion from a Voodoo doctor known as Doctor John.

Whatever the case may be, it’s known that Laveau combined Voodoo and Catholic traditions, which made the Voodoo practices more acceptable to upper-class New Orleans society, and she quickly rose to the position of The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, as she took charge of public Voodoo rituals and related ceremonies that were held weekly at Congo Square, where people could mix freely regardless of their race.

She Was a Keeper of Secrets

Though she became the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau still had to work. She made a good income selling gris-gris, which were amulets originating from Africa that could protect the wearer from harm. However, she also started a beauty parlor, where she was a hair-dresser for the wealthier families of New Orleans. Using her sharp wit, Laveau excelled at obtaining inside information on her wealthy patrons at the parlor by listening to the ladies gossiping. Many scholars now believe that she used this knowledge to enhance her image as a clairvoyant, using the information to provide the clients with practical advice.

The Whisperer of the Final Words

The ladies’ gossip wasn’t the only secret she kept. She also ministered to prisoners and offered guidance and redemption through Christ, often listening to the stories and last words of prisoners on death row. It’s known that Marie Laveau also sought pardons for those she favored, and she would often succeed in securing pardons or at least paying bail.

But the imprisoned and wealthy weren’t the only ones to confide in her. Laveau was known to care for the sick in her community during the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 by providing herbal remedies, and her presence was so powerful that many dying individuals in New Orleans requested her to be by their bedside during their final moments.  

She Was a Potion Mistress

Though we made it sound class or sub-class (depending on the game), Marie Laveau was well-known for her vast knowledge of herbs, roots, and other natural ingredients that were often used for brewing potions. Marie Laveau was known as a potion mistress, with many of the time claiming that she brewed potions that could cure ailments, bring love, or even exact revenge. In fact, many would come to her seeking her unique concoctions in the hope of changing their fate or the fates of others.

Some rumors also stated that death row prisoners would receive poison or other substances before going to the gallows, but this was never proven. It was known, however, that she would prepare them their last meal and prey with them.

The Snake Rituals

During her career as a Voodoo Queen, Laveau made her way to Maison Blanche, which was an underground Voodoo club, where she would perform more elaborate rituals involving snakes. Laveau was known for using snakes in some of her rituals, particularly rituals to evoke the spirit of Great Zombi, with Laveau interpreting the snake’s hisses and relaying the Great Zambi’s guidance to her audience.

The Immortal Voodoo Queen

Following her passing, The New York Times, The New Orleans Picayune, and Daily States described Maria Laveau as a woman of great beauty, intellect, and charisma who was also pious, charitable, and a skilled herbal healer. And though the exact time and location of Marie Laveau’s passing are known, many claimed to have seen her wandering the French Quarter, even decades after her supposed death.

Furthermore, it’s generally believed that she’s been buried in the Glapion family crypt in Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1, though this has been largely disputed by many individuals and scholars. There’s another crypt in Cemetery No. 2, known as the Wishing Vault or the Voodoo Vault, where visitors draw X’s on its white slab in the hope that the Voodoo Queen would grant them a wish. It’s important to note that there’s no real evidence that it’s Laveau’s tomb, but still, hundreds of visitors each year flock to the site in the hopes that Marie will turn an ear to their deepest and darkest desires.

Final Thoughts

Despite all the lore and legends surrounding her life, Maria Laveau did well. She was beloved in the New Orleans community and had the power to give good advice, regardless of whether that power was derived from the supernatural or not. Her actions, such as ministering to those in need and attending to the sick while also providing good advice to those who would listen, made Laveau not only a jewel within the fabric of the city, but landed her in the pages of history forevermore.

The post Voodoo Queen: Six True But Spine-Tingling Facts about Marie Laveau appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Now, it’s more than just a haven. Black women are showing that being a geek isn’t only cool, it’s profitable. From comic books to coding bootcamps, they’re proving that imagination can pay off. Check out how these Black women are making nerd money monetizing from their passions.

Shequeta Smith and the Business of Black Comic Books

Like many lifelong nerds, Shequeta L. Smith spent countless hours browsing comic book shops, only to notice something missing. Amid shelves of glossy, art-filled pages of unique and powerful superheroes, she rarely found stories featuring Black women as the protagonists. Sure, there were the token side characters, but no one who looked like her as the main hero.

Rather than accept that gap, Smith set out to create the world she wanted to see. That vision led her to launch Shero Comics, a multimedia company that puts Black women and girls at the center of their own universes.

Smith didn’t limit her creativity to comics. Over the years, she expanded into short films and, more recently, games. “I built my company with comic books that we could eventually adapt into films and games,” she explained. Today, Shero Comics boasts nine titles, five award-winning short films, and a prototype mobile game based on her graphic novel series Rayven Choi. In 2024, she took her storytelling to the next level with the launch of Shero Games.

Through comic con sales, crowdfunding, and now angel investors, Smith has kept her dream alive while steadily growing her business. And she’s never strayed from her mission. “Our powerful ‘sheroes’ of color belong in the comic book world – and they can easily be adapted into television and film projects.”

Smith’s journey is proof that imagination can be monetized and that being a nerd can become big business when built on authenticity and representation.

Katie “PikaChulita” Robinson: Streaming with Purpose

Katie Robinson discovered her love for gaming growing up in Kansas City, spending hours with her GameBoy Color and Nintendo 64. As she grew up, her love for gaming remained steady. She is now a Twitch streamer who uses her platform not only to play games but to spark meaningful conversations about inclusivity and equity.

Better known online as PikaChulita, Robinson refuses to separate her identities or water down her message. She speaks out against racism, sexism, ableism, and homophobia in gaming, even if she gets a few hateful comments from close-minded people. 

As a member of Black Girl Gamers and the Noir Network, Robinson is a key figure in the Black Twitch community. Along with being featured on Twitch’s front page multiple times, Robinson is committed to uplifting others and promoting visibility for Black women creators. 

Robinson proves that Black women don’t have to shrink themselves to be successful.  She reminds every geek out there that they can make money doing what they love and without compromising their values.

Kimberly Bryant and Black Girls CODE

Sports were once thought to be just for boys. When coding became popular, the same sexist belief followed. However,  Kimberly Bryant believed coding was a skill more Black girls should learn. In 2011, she founded Black Girls CODE, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching girls of color programming, robotics, and emerging technologies. Her vision was clear: expose young Black girls to coding early and empower them to become future tech leaders.

What started as a small initiative has grown into an international movement with 15 chapters and a long-term goal of teaching one million girls to code by 2040. During the pandemic, Black Girls CODE adapted to virtual programs and experienced rapid growth in both reach and revenue.

Kimberly Bryant’s work has changed the landscape of STEM education, inspiring thousands of girls and paving the way for greater diversity in the field.

Jay-Ann Lopez and the Power of Black Girl Gamers 

Have you heard of Black Girl Gamers? It is a community with over 8,000 members worldwide. Black Girl Gamers provides visibility, networking, advocacy, and support for Black women gamers, creating a safe and empowering space in an often exclusive industry. This movement was started by ambitious gamer Jay-Ann Lopez.

What started out as a Facebook group grew into a recognized brand that consults for major gaming companies, hosts influential events, and brokers talent opportunities for its members.

Lopez’s work has gained widespread recognition; she has been featured in Vogue, Dazed, and Forbes, and was named a top innovator by the Institute of Digital Fashion. She is also a BAFTA Games judge, an honorary professor, and a sought-after speaker and consultant for major brands such as Adidas, Google, and PlayStation. 

Lopez’s work also expands through events like Gamer Girls Night In, which blends gaming with beauty and fashion.

Her leadership and advocacy have helped elevate Black women’s voices in gaming, proving that this community is not only powerful but also a driving force in the industry’s future.

Dr. Eve L. Ewing: From Poetry to Marvel Comics

Dr. Eve L. Ewing is the definition of multifaceted. Born and raised in Chicago, Eve is a writer, scholar, and cultural organizer whose work spans poetry, academic research, children’s literature, and comics.

Her acclaimed poetry collections include Electric Arches and 1919, with the latter chronicling the 1919 Chicago race riot and adapted into a play by Steppenwolf Theatre. Her nonfiction work Ghosts in the Schoolyard investigates racism and school closures on Chicago’s South Side, showcasing her commitment to social justice through education. She has also authored Maya and the Robot, a children’s book celebrated for its depiction of self-discovery and belonging.

Ewing’s success doesn’t stop at her literary works. A writer for Marvel’s Ironheart, Black Panther, she is the first Black female author of that series. Her limitless storytelling flows across genres, blending Afrofuturism, education policy, and superhero narratives.  

An associate professor at the University of Chicago, Dr. Ewing calls herself a “professional, paid nerd,” a title that reflects her ability to blend intellectual rigor and creative passion.

Ewing’s career is a testament to how Black women’s creativity is versatile and needed. She is a reminder to all Black women that embracing all parts of ourselves can lead to unstoppable success.

Because these outstanding women don’t fit the norm of what society expects from Black women, their stories aren’t widely told. Yet their careers, their journeys, and who they are are what can inspire this generation and future generations to come. 

They are living proof that Black nerds can thrive in this world.

The post Nerd Money: How Black Women Are Monetizing Their Passions in Geek Culture appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

The gaming industry has always been a growing field, and that only multiplied when streaming platforms, such as Twitch, were created. Back in the days, we didn’t have the luxury of a simple hit record and play set up. Gamers would have to screen record their sessions and then upload them to YouTube. Oh, how things have evolved and for the absolute better! Because of the ease of streaming, many gamers have turned their favorite pastime into a way of building an audience with people who share common interests. For the lucky ones who have been successful in their venture, this has become a full time job that helps them pay the bills while having fun. Let’s take a look at seven Black girl game streamers you should check out!

Samora

If Final Fantasy and the Legend of Zelda are your jam, Samora is your girl. Hailing from Amsterdam, she dives into weekly broadcasts on her Twitch account in front of 36,800 followers. She is one of those gamers to keep an eye on as she has been gaining popularity through her 8-hour sessions. She is active on her Twitch schedule, constantly updating when she will go live next. She’s serious about her craft as her next stream is set for a five a.m. start time!

ChelseaBytes

When you think of paving the way for women in the gaming world, think of ChelseaBytes. She recently spoke with Black Girl Nerds along with a fellow streamer, BigBossBoze. She’s a leader of Twitch’s Women’s Guild, a group that offers a space to share your authentic voice and experiences with peers where privacy is respected, concerns are acknowledged, and differences are celebrated. That’s not all! In addition to gaming out, Chelsea is also an official G2 Esports content creator and on-camera host so there’s no telling where you’ll see her next!

PikaChulita

Katie goes by several names including Pika, KatieChu, or most notably, PikaChulita. Identifying as  bi/pan, she has a strict code of no homophobia, transphobia, or racism for engaging on her channel. She began her streaming journey in 2014 primarily on console but eventually branched out to Twitch where she houses close to 16,000 subscribers. Pika expresses that she plays entirely for fun but welcomes anything extra along the way. Ever wonder what tech to buy to get started in this field? She’s got you covered with a detailed list of things she uses in her personal set up!

StoryModeBae

Briana, better known as StoryModeBae, is very well rounded, making a name for herself across several platforms including over 65,500 subscribers on YouTube, 47,400 on Twitch, and sharing her thoughts to her 30,000 followers on X. She started her gaming journey at the tender age of five years old with Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Frogger, so it’s clear sis knew what she was born to do. Bri stands out with her branding, as her Twitch displays graphics detailing her rules for engaging with her content as well as what perks (such as custom emotes and sub hat badges) she offers to her viewers. 

JazzyGuns

Jasmine aka JazzyGuns has been around for over eight years and continues to build a name for herself on YouTube. While her fellow colleagues have made the transition to Twitch, she has remained loyal to the OG platform. With over 601,000 subscribers, she plays a variety of games, with a focus on Among Us and Resident Evil. In addition to her gaming account, she also has a shared channel called Dwayne N Jazz, which she creates content on with her boyfriend. Their reactions, challenges, pranks, and skits have earned them an impressive 2.45 million subscribers. If you ever needed a sign to join forces with your man and build a following, this is it.

JaharaJayde

Jahara is the go to for all things Final Fantasy, as she is currently on a mission to play all games in their entirety. Her home base is Twitch, where she goes live for hours at a time, diving into fantasy and adventure. In addition to gaming, she’s an avid cosplayer as she got her start on IG showcasing hundreds of characters to her 361,000 followers. She’s proof that you can pursue more than one passion, even combining them into one as her TikTok features her fits and gaming clips (she’s killing it with over 736,000 followers there). At this pace, there’s no telling what she can accomplish.

BlackGirlGamers

While not exactly an individual account, we can’t leave out BlackGirlGamers as they represent exactly what this list highlights. Garnering the title of Official Twitch Channel for Black Girl Gamers, they offer heightened visibility and put together events, workshops, and consulting to anyone looking to build themselves. They have a consistent schedule of streams weekly that reach their 42,000 subscribers, so it’s safe to say they are the go-to channel for any female Black gamer looking to get insight.

The post 7 Black Girl Game Streamers You Should Be Following appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Endometrial cancer primarily affects the lining of the uterus and is most common among postmenopausal women. Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and changes in urinary habits. Early detection is crucial, as the prognosis improves significantly with timely intervention.

Screening for endometrial cancer is not as standardized as it is for other cancers, like breast or cervical cancer. It is recommended that women report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare providers, who may then suggest diagnostic tests such as transvaginal ultrasound or endometrial biopsy. However, these tests can produce false negatives — results indicating no cancer when, in fact, cancer is present.

Research shows that Black women are less likely to receive accurate diagnoses during screenings for endometrial cancer. Some studies suggest that Black women are more likely to have aggressive forms of the disease, which might not be detected by standard screening methods. There also may be genetic and biological factors that affect how endometrial cancer presents in Black women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), access to quality healthcare can differ significantly based on socioeconomic status and geographic location. Black women are often at a disadvantage in terms of access to preventive care, which can lead to delays in diagnosis. Implicit biases among healthcare providers can also affect how symptoms are interpreted. Black women’s concerns are often dismissed or underestimated, leading to missed or delayed diagnoses. Clinical trials and research studies have also underrepresented Black women, leading to gaps in understanding how they experience diseases like endometrial cancer.

Receiving a false negative result can have serious consequences. Delayed treatment may result in the cancer advancing to a more severe stage, reducing the chances of successful intervention. Black women, who already face higher mortality rates from various cancers, may find these disparities even more pronounced when it comes to endometrial cancer.

The implications of false negatives extend beyond physical health. The emotional and psychological toll of navigating cancer symptoms, seeking help, and facing a healthcare system that may not prioritize our concerns can be overwhelming. This is what leads to feeling invisible and unheard in healthcare settings, as well as having a lack of trust in medical professionals.

Historically, there have been incidents that provide context for mistrust in medicine, particularly towards Black women. In the 1840s, Alabama physician James Marion Sims conducted experimental gynecological surgery exclusively on Black women, bound to the surgical table by chattel slavery, physical force, and opium. The drug did not alleviate their pain, and some historians think that they became addicted to it.

Sims wanted to repair disabling complications of protracted childbirth — including vesicovaginal fistulas — that cause constant leaking of urine. The resulting pain, infection, odor, and skin problems left many women of that era pariahs. For enslaved women, the condition also meant that they could not work, and as a result became valueless in the eyes of their owners and white society. Sims was faced with justified accusations of surgical violence and forcible exploitation but insisted that the women were willing participants. His use of Black bodies as subjects in medical research echoes a troubling history that includes the Tuskegee syphilis experiment and the case of Henrietta Lacks.

Given the challenges associated with endometrial cancer screenings and the higher risk of false negatives for Black women, advocacy becomes necessary. We have to stay informed about the signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer. It’s also important that we are familiar with the various screening methods available to us. If you feel that your concerns are not being taken seriously, don’t be afraid to seek a second opinion. Persistence is key; advocating for your health may require multiple conversations or consultations.

I find it comforting and helpful to take a trusted friend or family member with me to appointments. They can provide support and help me to articulate concerns. Another aspect that makes me feel more comfortable is having culturally competent and sensitive doctors. We have unique challenges as Black women, and I need healthcare professionals that look like me and understand the challenges I face. Building a trusting relationship with a healthcare provider who understands your background can increase communication and your level of care.

Endometrial cancer screenings present a complex challenge, particularly for Black women who may face a higher risk of false negatives. By understanding the unique challenges within the healthcare system and actively advocating for our health, we can better navigate this landscape. Remember, your health should always be a priority, and seeking the care and attention you deserve is your right. Stay informed, be persistent, and advocate for yourself and your health.

The post Endometrial Cancer: Addressing Screening Gaps for Black Women appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

The news was extremely shocking, especially given that the disease had progressed to such a late stage. Her doctors recommended she undergo a double mastectomy, which would remove both of her breasts and ultimately reduce the risk of it developing further. In an effort to be as natural as possible, she opted not to get the surgery and instead changed her way of living by choosing to alter her diet and incorporate a variety of therapies.

After fighting the natural way for 4 years, Lewis updated her fans with the news that her condition had worsened, progressing to stage 4. She always stood by her decision to go the natural route, but in June of 2025, Lewis sadly passed away after putting up a strong fight for over 7 years. As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s reflect on some things we learned from Lewis over the years.

During her journey, she became an advocate for women’s health by encouraging them to get mammograms regularly, as well as pay attention to what women consume and how they take care of their bodies. She took to her social media platforms to film videos talking about her journey and new ways of detoxing and wellness. She was extremely motivational and encouraging, but most importantly, her tone and confidence spoke volumes as she stood tall and refused to waste energy on giving in to cancer.

She heavily emphasized that, while cancer is incurable, there are many steps we can take in our day-to-day lives to prevent getting it as best we can. In an issue of Essence, she discusses how prevention is the cure and that we should do our research. She says, “I encourage people to look at the information and studies that exist. Seek them out, learn from them, and apply the changes to your life, so that you can continue to thrive and live as long as you can.” She even takes it a step further by pointing out that women of color should be more alert. “As Black women, we have all kinds of factors we’re not even aware of that contribute to cancer impinging upon us. Increase your knowledge about how to prevent getting here in the first place. Prevention is the real cure.”

It’s important to note that most insurance plans cover getting your regular women’s wellness check-ups and mammograms. It is our responsibility to make sure we are taking advantage of the resources afforded to us, and Lewis spoke on that quite often. One of her biggest lessons was that women who opt for the natural way of tackling cancer often do so due to the fear of the unknown. ABC spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a breast oncologist at NYU Langone Hospital, who offered further insight into why many take the unconventional route like Lewis. Comen says, “Many patients who decline conventional treatments do so due to fear of side effects, distrust of the medical system, or a desire for control. They often choose natural remedies, believing these are safer or better for their health.”

One of the best things about Lewis was her refusal to stay silent and her determination to raise awareness. Her social media is full of photos of her going through treatments from liquid IVs hooked up to her to CT scanning machines. She documented her journey to make sure that what she went through could be a learning opportunity for others. She was such a motivational voice for women who might have either been battling cancer or were simply not well educated on prevention. She was so positive in all of her videos and was loud about informing women about the importance of not ignoring check-ups. She led a tough fight until the very end, and her story was extremely impactful.

Ananda always remained transparent about the choices she made, even the potential consequences that came with avoiding standard cancer treatment with medicines and chemicals. There’s no telling how many lives she saved by advocating, thus leading to some potential early detections. Lewis shed light on a very important debate: how can patients get the support they need to make informed decisions based on what’s best for them? In addition to that, how can medical specialists and doctors tackle the growing distrust and fear women face when presented with treatment options? Lastly, how can the healthcare system offer better options that are affordable so women don’t avoid getting the exams and care they need simply because of a price tag? 

Lewis has left many conversations on the table, and, as we approached 2025, she gave some advice to urge women to take action now, rather than later. “Do everything in your power to avoid my story becoming yours. If I had known what I know now 10 years ago, perhaps I wouldn’t have ended up here. I would have been cold plunging, exercising consistently, making sure my vitamin D levels were good, detoxing my body on a monthly and yearly basis, and sleeping better.” Even though she is no longer with us, her impact has left a mark as many women continue to be inspired by the lessons she leaves behind.

The post Lessons from Ananda Lewis: Don’t Ignore Breast Cancer appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

According to Bloomberg, Black women have left the United States during the past three years due to the pandemic and social unrest. Since 2020, groups have formed online that share relocation tips and host meetups. There are some great sites — Blaxit Global, Traveling Black Women Network and Black Americans Living Abroad — that have everything from starter toolkits, free itineraries, and other valuable resources for traveling and living abroad.  

Black women have discovered that achieving the American Dream may not be possible in America. That realization is a hard pill to swallow, but systemic racism, discrimination, and oppression is an even harder burden to carry.

This is not a new phenomenon. Black Americans opting for a life as expatriates dates back to the 20th century. James Baldwin, Richard Wright, and Nina Simone famously fled American soil and took up residency in Europe where their artistic dreams could be realized. Maya Angelou also spent years in Ghana as a journalist and university administrator.

In addition to the freedom from racism in the States, where people often feel they are seen as Black first and American second, some make the move to grow creatively, to study abroad, to fulfill a lifelong goal, to provide a safer environment for their families, and to have an improved work life balance.

For many Black women, overall mental and physical health is at stake. Mental health, particularly for Black people, often manifests as physical ailments. Your mental state can definitely impact your physical state, especially with a lot of stress and dealing with racial trauma. I believe many Black women don’t even realize that they are depressed, but they will be able to say, “I have body pain,” because their body will demonstrate the emotional hurt that they are experiencing. So many times, we know that Black women have to practically beg for proper medical care. Other countries offer more positive lifestyles and easier access to affordable healthcare.

Oftentimes, it is completely a wanderlust situation. A friend of mine checked all the boxes. She had wanted to be an attorney since we were in high school. She went to college and then law school. After practicing for many years, it just hit her that if she didn’t change anything, she would never have a chance to make a big change in her life. It’s not even that she had a deep desire to not live in the United States anymore. It was a passion to just see more of the world. The easiest way to do that was to quit her job and go for it. Now, it doesn’t seem so irrational anymore. My friend currently lives in Mexico and spends time in cities including Tulum and Playa Del Carmen. What a life!

The truth is, living life in another country is not completely free from racism and discrimination. Black American citizens who are considering the big move should be aware of the racism that they will likely encounter at some point while living abroad. Like anywhere else in the world, inequality can be found there among immigrant communities. In Australia, instead of Black expatriates, Indigenous Australians have a long-standing history of being targets of racism and discrimination.

Like in America, being Black abroad can make other people uncomfortable just by our existence. Depending on where you travel, you still have to be concerned about being racially profiled, being stared at, or strangers wanting to touch you or your hair.

Social media has a way of creating a certain aesthetic and the right music that can make anyone feel as if they, too, can live their best lives. There is no shortage of Black women on Instagram posting their lives in other countries. There have been times, since the pandemic started, that I have thought about curating a life that I don’t need a vacation from. It’s more than a pursuit of living a “soft life,” which has become so saturated online these days. It’s about having the mental space to explore my creative interests, having the capacity to write and expand my writing career. Also, striving for a better quality of life, safer neighborhoods, and the other benefits of life outside of the United States, like the time to slow down, tend to my mental health, and dive deep into a self-care practice that taps into what really brings me joy, sound great. These are all indicators of a healthier and fuller lifestyle for me. 

The sites that I mentioned earlier offer great advice before moving abroad, including giving yourself a mini-trial. Visit different places you are interested in, stay in spaces outside of hotels, interact with locals, experience the weather, and check your finances. Once you’re sure about the location, commit to the decision. When the plane ticket is booked and the job and apartment are secured, all the other parts won’t seem so scary.

The post The Great Escape: Why Black Women Are Moving Abroad appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.

Nwodim joined the cast as a featured player in 2018 and was promoted to full repertory status in 2020. Over her tenure, she delivered characters and sketches that resonated with audiences, including her viral “Lisa from Temecula” and her work in Weekend Update. Her exit is not only a career move — seeking perhaps more flexibility and broader creative opportunities — but also one that leaves a significant gap: she has been one of the few Black women in SNL’s cast in recent years, and her departure reduces that number yet again.

To understand the significance of Nwodim’s departure, one must look at the historical pattern of Black female cast members on SNL. While SNL has had many Black male cast members over its 50+ year history, the inclusion of Black women has been far more limited.

Here are some key figures:

• Yvonne Hudson (1980-81) was the first Black female featured cast member.
• Danitra Vance (1985-86) was a repertory cast member.
• Ellen Cleghorne (1991-1995) had a longer tenure.
• Maya Rudolph (2000-2007) is perhaps among the more celebrated Black women cast to date.
• Sasheer Zamata joined in 2014, becoming the first Black woman on the cast since Maya Rudolph left in 2007.
• Leslie Jones joined later and became another strong presence.
• Punkie Johnson also became the first openly queer Black women cast in more recent years.
• And of course, Ego Nwodim herself (2018-2025) has been a central figure among Black women in the cast.

If one counts properly, that is around eight Black women who have been full cast members (either featured or repertory) over the show’s 50-year history. This number is startlingly low, given how many cast members in total SNL has had, and given the diversity of American culture and comedic talent.

Representation on a show like Saturday Night Live is more than symbolic. SNL has a broad cultural reach; its sketches, characters, and impressions help shape what audiences see, hear, and laugh about in our society. When Black women are underrepresented — especially in a show that is meant to satirize, reflect, and critique American life — certain stories, perspectives, and forms of humor are inevitably erased or missing.

Moreover, being part of SNL gives cast members visibility, professional prestige, connections in entertainment, and often more opportunities in film, TV, or stand-up. The relative scarcity of Black women in the cast means that many talented comedians may not have had that platform, or if they did, faced higher barriers.

Ego Nwodim’s exit thus represents a loss of one of the more consistent and visible Black women in the cast in recent years. Her voice, her characters and her style helped to fill some of the gaps in a show that has historically tilted white and male.

Her departure raises several questions:

Will SNL replace her with another Black woman? The cast shake-up for Season 51 already includes five new featured players; whether any are Black women remains to be seen. Given the past criticism (and internal recognition) of underrepresentation, one would hope the show continues seeking more inclusive casting.

Will the pacing of change speed up? SNL has sometimes been slow to adjust to cultural critiques around race, gender, and identity. But public pressure, changing audience expectations, and internal awareness may push for faster, more consistent inclusion.

What does the future hold for those Black women who have been on the show, and those who might join? The example of those eight Black women shows both that it can be done, and that the paths have often been rocky, short, or under-utilized. Ensuring adequate screen time, character variety, respect, and career support will be essential for any new cast members.

Ego Nwodim’s departure from Saturday Night Live after seven seasons is more than just another cast change; it is a moment to examine how far the show has come and how far it still needs to go — in its representation of Black women. With only eight Black women having been cast members in SNL’s long history, every time one leaves, the stakes feel particularly high.

For SNL to maintain relevance and reflect the diversity of America, it must not simply hire Black women occasionally, but integrate them fully — in recurring roles, sketch variety, major character work, and leadership behind the scenes.

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In recent years, corporate America made strides in improving diversity and inclusion, with companies investing in DEI programs and practices aimed at creating more equitable workplaces. In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, companies doubled-down on their commitment to diversity initiatives. However, even within the last two years, the political landscape has shifted, and those commitments have as well. Many companies have caved in due to mounting external pressure, including political opposition to race-conscious policies. This trend is particularly evident in industries and institutions that once hyped-up strong diversity programs and publicly committed to addressing systemic inequality.

The decision to cut DEI initiatives has come at a time when businesses were beginning to see the positive effects of diversity in the workplace. Data showed that companies with diverse leadership teams outperformed their peers in terms of profitability, innovation, and employee satisfaction. These trends are under threat as businesses retreat from their diversity commitments. For Black women, this means a loss of the support systems that were beginning to address racial and gender disparities in the corporate space. We were just starting to make progress.

In corporate America, Black women have historically faced significant barriers to success, from biases in hiring and promotion to a lack of mentorship and opportunities for advancement. Corporate DEI initiatives were seen as a necessary tool in addressing these challenges by fostering an environment where Black women could thrive professionally. These initiatives often provided access to leadership development programs, networks, and resources tailored to support us.

With the rollback of DEI programs, opportunities for mentorship, career coaching, and leadership training will become less accessible. The absence of these resources will lead to greater stagnation in Black women’s professional growth and a widening leadership gap. Not to mention how we are often subjected to “double jeopardy,” facing both racial and gender biases in the workplace which affect our earnings. Without DEI initiatives to combat these biases, we can count on an increase in microaggressions, discrimination, and even outright exclusion from decision-making processes.

The impact of diminished DEI efforts is not limited to the corporate sector. In higher education, Black women continue to be grossly underrepresented in both faculty and administrative roles. While colleges and universities have made efforts to address this imbalance through DEI programs, many of these programs are now under threat due to political resistance to race-conscious admissions policies and funding cuts for diversity programs.

I taught in higher education for over 12 years, and I was the only full-time Black woman associate professor at my institution. This not only made it challenging for me but also Black students that I was advocating for. Even now that I have transitioned into an administrative role, I find myself being the only Black woman director. My challenges are similar to when I was in the corporate world, including a lack of mentorship, and the burden of advocating for institutional change.

DEI initiatives in higher education have played an important role in supporting Black women, helping them navigate the complex dynamics of academia and providing opportunities for professional development. As these initiatives face increased scrutiny, Black women in academia may find it more difficult to secure tenure-track positions, obtain funding for research, or participate in leadership roles within their institutions.

Additionally, the loss of these programs could have a ripple effect on Black students in higher education, who rely on faculty and administrators who understand and advocate for their unique needs. A decrease in Black women’s representation in faculty and leadership roles could create an environment where Black students feel even more marginalized, impacting their academic success and mental well-being.

Uniquely, one of the things that is making a difference at the new institution I am at now is that it is faith-based. This provides a layer of protection, for now, against some of the DEI initiatives being cut. We are continuing to stand on the values that the school was founded on. Conversations are being had where everyone feels included. This is encouraging for me.

As corporate America and higher education institutions retreat from their DEI commitments, the future for Black women appears uncertain. Still, Black women can turn to grassroots movements and advocacy groups, such as the Black Women’s Agenda and National Black Women’s Justice Institute. They can be instrumental in pushing back against the rollback of diversity initiatives.

With fewer opportunities in traditional corporate spaces, many Black women are turning to entrepreneurship as a means of creating their own paths to success. The rise of Black women-led businesses is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Black women. While entrepreneurship presents its own set of challenges, it also offers the chance for Black women to bypass the traditional corporate hierarchy and build businesses on their own terms. In other words, make our own way.

In the absence of formal DEI programs, Black women can continue to build strong professional networks that support each other’s growth and success. I believe this will be the most powerful thing we can do.

It’s clear that the path ahead for Black women in corporate America and higher education will continue to be shaped by challenges. But when has that ever stopped us? As the rollback of DEI initiatives threatens to reverse progress made in recent years, it leaves us having to navigate a landscape that is more hostile and exclusionary. However, we can work towards creating a more equitable future for ourselves. While the challenges are significant, we are better and stronger together. This will be our saving grace.

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The Black Panther Party was 60 percent women. Despite their numerous contributions to Black society, sexism existed in the organization and diminished women’s roles in the party throughout history.

For many women, it seems as if the movement represented the best option at the time. Other activist organizations either didn’t accept women or didn’t understand where a woman’s role needed to be. While there was a glimmer of hope that a woman’s role in the BPP could be recognized and celebrated, its downfall came in part because sexism went unchecked.

Early on women members were “Pantherettes.” They had a separate hierarchy and chain of command. The most well-known woman Panther, Assata Shakur, said joining the party was the most powerful thing she could do, even though there was an overwhelming emphasis on manhood. In 1973, Shakur was pulled over by New Jersey police, shot, and then charged with the murder of a police officer. She spent over 6 years in prison before escaping to Cuba in 1984. The FBI added her to the most wanted terrorist list in 2013. If you haven’t read her autobiography, do so.

Elaine Brown became the first and only woman to lead the party from 1974 to 1977. She took over as chairwoman while Newton went into exile in Cuba. When he returned in 1977, the male members of the party complained that the women had too much control. The men told Newton that Regina Davis, the school’s administrator, had publicly reprimanded a male member. Newton permitted the men to beat Davis, and she ended up hospitalized.

In Brown’s 1992 memoir, A Taste of Power: A Black Woman’s Story, she said that her title of chairwoman was meaningless. “A woman in the Black Power movement was considered, at best, irrelevant. A woman asserting herself was a pariah. If a Black woman assumed a role of leadership, she was said to be eroding Black manhood, to be hindering the progress of the Black race.”

The violence, sexism, and patriarchy caused Brown to leave the party for good. She founded the National Alliance for Radical Prison Reform and works to help prisoners find housing after they are released.

As another famous woman in the party, Angela Davis, said, “Straight Black men and white women will always be the weakest links in the struggle for equality because they view equality as achieving status with white men. The problem with that is that white men’s status is contingent on the oppression of other people.”

Another important figure was Kathleen Cleaver, wife of Eldridge Cleaver and the Party’s first female member of the central decision-making cabinet. As communications secretary, she became one of the most visible women in the Party. When a New York reporter once asked her what she thought a woman’s place was in the revolution, her reply cut straight to the truth: “No one ever asks what a man’s place in the revolution is.”

Her statement underscored the ongoing tension. The women were not simply helpers or “supporters” to the men. They were leaders, organizers, and thinkers. They faced arrests, harassment, and constant surveillance right alongside their male counterparts. But unlike the men, they also faced the dual oppression of racism and sexism within the very spaces where liberation was supposed to be the goal.

It’s always been striking to me when I see photos of the beautiful, Black women from the party with a spectrum of complexions, determined faces, and fists raised high in solidarity. Even their afros have beauty and power. More importantly, despite what was happening in the party, the women kept pushing towards the mission. They organized free breakfast programs, free health clinics, and other social programs in Black communities.

I’d like to believe they were fighting for their own lives and the lives of their families. I’d like to believe they were motivated by the Black community desperately needing change and understanding the assignment. We witness, to this day, the Black Lives Matter movement, which was created and led by women. Collaboration breeds change, and Black women know how to do this like no other.

Growing up, I saw this take place in the Black church. Women made up the majority of the congregation; organized every meeting, conference, and program. They established what they needed to do in the community and made it happen. However, there was an unspoken place where the women stayed, and the men always assumed the leadership.

The story of women in the Panthers is not just about their strength but also about the Party’s contradictions. For all its vision and courage, the BPP mirrored society’s misogyny. The beating of Regina Davis was not an isolated event — it was symptomatic of a broader culture that devalued women even as it depended on their labor.

By the time Newton returned from Cuba in August 1977, many women felt betrayed. Brown eventually left, writing later that her departure was the only way she could survive in a structure that refused to honor her leadership.

This unchecked sexism weakened the Party at a time when government repression, infiltration, and arrests were already taking their toll. FBI COINTELPRO campaigns had decimated the organization through infiltration, trumped-up charges, and biased jury trials. With leaders like Hilliard, Seale, and Newton facing legal battles, the Party could not afford to alienate the very women who kept it alive. Yet that is precisely what happened.

Women’s participation and the issues of sexism seemed like a natural rhythm within the Panther’s history. The truth is, the Black Panther Party duplicated what was going on in the world at that time. Women dealt with hostility or were looked over because they were simply women — this was not anything new. This was something already happening in the world, and the party fell in line. That is not to say that it was right. It’s disappointing to learn this and goes against what we thought we knew. The history of misogyny and sexism in this country has laid a painful foundation, harming and repressing women.

Black women in the Black Panther Party carried significant roles and leadership, whether they were visible or not. Their efforts are what kept the party alive and capable of accomplishing the work that they did. They regenerated hope, gave the best parts of themselves for the greater good, and brought together resources for the best future possible for Black people. A legacy we must carry.

Other resource: International Socialist Review

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