Black Girl Burnout: Interview with Kelley Bonner, Host of the Black Girl Burnout Podcast

Black women are in the midst of a burnout epidemic. Studies show that Black American women are 7.5 years biologically older than White women because our telomeres (which control aging and key biological functions) are shrinking as a result of excessive chronic stress. This is especially poignant as we have just been through a global pandemic that fiercely affected the Black community around the globe both economically and socially. In the new Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated book, this theme was also discussed in detail. Our guest on this episode of the Holistic Wealth podcast is Kelley Bonner, host of the Black Girl Burnout podcast and founder of Burn Bright Consulting. Through her work, Kelley provides a framework for leaders to understand the deeper organizational issues that lead to symptoms of burnout and how to solve them at their core.

In a previous episode of the Holistic Wealth podcast, we discussed why Holistic Wealth is the Antidote to Burnout. Check out our previous episode on the Billion-Dollar Cost of Misalignment and Why Black Women Pay It. In the new Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated book, racism in the workplace and how it affects Black women is also explored.

Black Girl Burnout: Interview with Kelley Bonner, Host of the Black Girl Burnout Podcast

Reasons for the high incidence of burnout among Black women include:

Intersectionality and Multiple Marginalizations: We explore how intersectionality plays a role in the higher rates of burnout among Black women. The combination of racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination creates a heavy burden, as Black women navigate various marginalized identities simultaneously.
Historical and Generational Trauma: Historical and generational trauma has a profound impact on the well-being of Black women. We discuss the lasting effects of slavery, racial violence, and systemic racism, and how these experiences contribute to chronic stress and burnout.
Stereotypes and Double Standards: Societal stereotypes and double standards place additional pressure on Black women, leading to burnout. We delve into the expectations of strength, resilience, and perfection that Black women often face, and how these unrealistic standards can take a toll on mental and emotional well-being.
Workplace Discrimination and Microaggressions: Workplace discrimination and microaggressions contribute to the higher rates of burnout among Black women. We discussed the challenges Black women face in professional environments, including racial bias, limited career advancement opportunities, and the emotional toll of navigating predominantly white spaces.
Emotional Labor and Caregiving Responsibilities: Black women often bear the burden of emotional labour and caregiving responsibilities, both within and outside the workplace. We discussed how this additional workload can contribute to burnout, as Black women juggle multiple roles and sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of others.
Lack of Access to Resources and Support: Limited access to resources and support systems exacerbates the risk of burnout among Black women. We discussed the disparities in healthcare, mental health services, and socioeconomic opportunities, discussing the need for equitable access to support and resources.

What You Will Learn

Why Black women suffer higher rates of burnout including sexism, racism historical and generational trauma and general lack of support resources.
Kelley’s personal journey and experience with burnout, and how she coped with it.
Kelley’s experience as a full-time employee, and the lessons we can all use in the workplace after COVID, especially for Black and minority women.
Kelley’s thoughts on thriving through a global pandemic, and how Black women can thrive in the workplace or business.
Learn some tips and strategies to deal with financial burnout.

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

Holistic Wealth Expanded and Updated: 36 Life Lessons To Help You Recover From Disruption, Find Your Life Purpose and Achieve Financial Freedom.