Choosing Joy: Redefining Black Women’s Mental Health

Exploring the importance of their role and representation

What if joy is more than a feeling—it’s a form of healing?

For Black women, mental health conversations have too often centered on surviving racism, sexism, and systemic inequity. But what happens when we make room for joy?

Emerging research suggests that Black joy isn’t simply the result of well-being—it can be a powerful pathway to it. Joy, creativity, sisterhood, storytelling, and collective care can affirm identity, strengthen connection, and protect mental health in the face of adversity.

In this episode, we explore what it means to move beyond trauma-centered narratives and center the joy, strength, and cultural resources that help Black women thrive. Because Black women deserve more than survival. We deserve joy—and joy can be part of the healing.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Kanika Bell, Associate Professor of Psychology at Clark Atlanta University, licensed psychologist, scholar-activist, and nationally recognized expert on mental health, justice, and joy. The editor of Black Women’s Mental Health, she is also co-owner of A.T.L. Psychotherapy & Consulting Services and JOY, where she serves as a joy coach and host of the JOY podcast, helping individuals and organizations cultivate greater joy in their lives and work.

To learn more about Dr. Bell click here.

More works by Dr. Bell:

• Black women's mental health: balancing strength and vulnerability

• Learning to BREATHE: Toward a balanced model of Black women's wellness

This episode will be avilable September 28.

Season 3 Episode 13

Running Time:  TBD minutes

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