The Highlights of Our Sisterhood Sips Discussion

It is amazing when Black women get together.  The air buzzed with a familiar energy as Black women gathered virtually for our Sisterhood Sips—a space where vulnerability and strength intertwine, where the veil truly unravels.  My Sisters always inspire me.

I started our conversation on Saturday by saying I was mourning the future.  I am a woman of hope.  But after the 2024 election, I felt a certain way.  I had been grieving in a way that I had not witnessed in my lifetime.  “How do I navigate this environment with clear eyes and a sense of hope?”  This was my challenge and the beginning of my search for answers.  I started to reflect upon our ancestors.  From slavery to black codes, to Jim Crow to the Civil Rights movement, they became my “sheros’”.  They came from absolutely nothing and persevered.  Through every obstacle put in front of them, they found a way to move beyond their circumstances together!  I was inspired…again! 

So, I decided that if I felt a certain way, many of my Sisters might feel the same way, too.  I wanted to start a conversation that first emphasized the historical context and the resilience of elders who lived through Jim Crow to bridge an understanding of the present.  What better way to do that than to hear the voices of people who lived through it? 

Thirteen people signed up for the discussion, and many in the room shared their experiences with racism. Themes included racial discrimination across generations, the changing dynamics of friendships and identity, and engaging younger generations in social issues. 

The discussion yielded several profound insights and personal narratives, including:

• Marquita shares her perspective, highlighting the shift from collective action in the 1960s to a more individualistic approach today. She notes that the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. was a catalyst for black youth to act and to express their identity. This highlighted the change in social activism over time.
• Brenda then recounts her experiences growing up in Washington, D.C., describing the effects of segregation and redlining on black communities. This illustrated the impact of systemic racism on communities.
• Sharon shared her experiences growing up in New York, initially in the projects and later in a predominantly white neighborhood. She mentioned her family's history in Virginia and their property there. Sharon also discussed her perception of white Southerners during her childhood visits to Virginia. This showed the contrast of living in different environments.
•  LaChelle, who is younger, shares her experiences of racism in college and the workplace, including an incident where white students believed black people grew tails at night. Marquita emphasizes that LaChelle's experiences align with the evolution of the civil rights movement, focusing on workplace discrimination. This highlights that racism is still prevalent in today’s society.
• Kimberly reflects on how her generation's efforts to shield their children from the harsh realities of discrimination may have inadvertently created a "false narrative" of racial progress. She suggests that this protective approach, while well-intentioned, might have left younger generations unprepared for the resurgence of overt racism they now face. This revelation prompted a deeper discussion about the complexities of generational experiences and the importance of honest, age-appropriate conversations about race.

The conversation ended with a focus on engaging younger generations in discussions about social and political issues and the importance of individual action.

Next steps:

• Continue sharing stories and experiences in future sisterhood sips sessions to help educate and prepare younger generations about navigating racial challenges.
• Organize a follow-up meeting moderated by young people to discuss their perspectives and experiences.
• Continue working with leaders across age groups to promote positive changes in the community
• Organize future discussions on financial literacy, education/job training, and community safety for Sisterhood Sips.
• Bring at least one young person to the next meeting for intergenerational dialogue.

 The Sisterhood Sips gathering poignantly reminded us of our collective strength and the importance of intergenerational dialogue. As we navigate the complexities of our present, the wisdom of our ancestors and the shared experiences of our sisters will continue to guide us forward.