Sacred Sisterhoods: Navigating Friendships as Grown Women
Why Black women benefit from strong adult friendships
As Black women move through adulthood friendships can be one of the most powerful sources of emotional grounding and joy. Research shows that strong friendships reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while increasing confidence, creativity, and even physical health. But for Black women, friendship during adulthood carries even deeper cultural weight: affirmation, shared history, honesty, laughter, and liberation.
Studies have found that adult friendships often require intentional effort because people no longer have the built-in social environments provided by schools or universities. Similarly, competing responsibilities —balancing careers, relationships, parenting, caregiving, community expectations, and personal growth— reduce the time and opportunities available for social interaction. Frequent relocation, changing life stages, and increased reliance on digital communication can also make it harder to develop close, lasting connections. As a result, many adults report feelings of loneliness despite valuing friendship highly, highlighting the importance of regular contact, shared activities, and consistent investment in relationships.
To explore these truths and gain practical tools for maintaining friendships with intention and love, we're talking with Dr. Marisa G Franco, Professor at The University of Maryland and author of the New York Times bestseller Platonic: How the Science of Attachment can help you Make- and keep- Friends. An enlightening psychologist, TED speaker, and New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Marisa G Franco is known for digesting and communicating science in ways that resonate deeply enough with people to change their lives. She writes about friendship for Psychology Today and has been a featured connection expert for major publications like The New York Times, The Telegraph, and Vice. She speaks on belonging at corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and universities.
To learn more about Dr. Marisa Franco, click here.
More Works by Dr. Franco:
Season 3 Episode 15
Running Time: 37 minutes
AVAILABLE ACROSS STREAMING PLATFORMS MONDAY NOVEMBER 9
