Session 401: A Conversation on Black Girlhood and Womanhood with Dr. Lauren Mims

Mar 5, 2025

Dr. Lauren Mims, an assistant professor at NYU focusing on sociocultural stressors impacting Black children's growth, shares insights into modern Black girlhood. They explore the challenges of representation in media and educational settings, addressing issues like adultification bias. The discussion highlights empowering strategies and platforms like TikTok that shape experiences of young Black girls. Mims emphasizes the importance of nurturing, identity-affirming environments to support resilience and well-being, celebrating the strength and narratives of Black girlhood.

Ask episode

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

Exploring the Essence of Black Girlhood and Womanhood

02:14 • 3min

Understanding Black Girlhood

05:26 • 20min

Promotional Highlights and Health Commitment

25:24 • 4min

Voices of Young Black Girls

29:05 • 8min

Everyday Joys and Authentic Representation

37:09 • 3min

Resilience and Identity in Black Childhood

40:33 • 16min

Creating Supportive Spaces for Black Girls

56:31 • 5min

How is Black girlhood defined these days? As we see fewer depictions of Black girls in the media, limited spaces for them to shop, and continuing adultification bias, it seems more difficult than ever to answer this question. Joining me to discuss the ways Black girlhood is defined is Dr. Lauren Mims, an assistant professor at NYU's Steinhardt School. Her research focuses on how sociocultural stressors impact Black children's development, and identifying strengths that can buffer the negative effects of bias and discrimination. She also served as Assistant Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans during the Obama Administration. During our conversation we discuss girlhood and womanhood through education, media representation, psychology, and even TikTok.

About the Podcast

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

Resources & Announcements

Did you know you can leave us a voice note with your questions for the podcast? If you have a question you'd like some feedback on, topics you'd like to hear covered, or want to suggest movies or books for us to review, drop us a message at memo.fm/therapyforblackgirls and let us know what’s on your mind. We just might share it on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Where to Find Dr. Mims

Instagram: @DrLaurenMims

Stay Connected

Is there a topic you'd like covered on the podcast? Submit it at therapyforblackgirls.com/mailbox.

If you're looking for a therapist in your area, check out the directory at https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/directory.

Take the info from the podcast to the next level by joining us in the Therapy for Black Girls Sister Circle community.therapyforblackgirls.com

Grab your copy of our guided affirmation and other TBG Merch at therapyforblackgirls.com/shop.

The hashtag for the podcast is #TBGinSession.

Make sure to follow us on social media:

Twitter: @therapy4bgirls

Instagram: @therapyforblackgirls

Facebook: @therapyforblackgirls

Our Production Team

Executive Producers: Dennison Bradford & Maya Cole Howard

Senior Producer: Ellice Ellis

Producer: Tyree Rush

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.