April 10, 2023
Bradford, a psychologist and host of the Therapy for Black Girls podcast, shines in her impressive debut, an exploration of the power of Black female friendship. Healing occurs in communities, she writes, and by strengthening individual friendships and “sister circles,” readers can heal others and themselves. To that end, Bradford delves into a host of ways for readers to be a better friend, such as by establishing a “judgment-free zone” to deal with complex emotions or determining one’s role in a social group to better grasp individual strengths and weaknesses (peacemakers, for example, excel at bridging divides, but can struggle to stand their ground in group settings). On a more communal level, readers can set an example of sisterhood by helping another Black woman’s career (“holding open the door behind you”) or keeping a watchful eye on Black girls in public spaces. In a society rife with racism and microaggressions, says Bradford, it’s especially important to protect “safe space to be ourselves,” and within them, healing doesn’t have to look like “heartfelt, teary-eyed, deeper than deep conversations”—sometimes it can involve just being there to listen. Bradford’s celebration of friendship is moving, backed with psychological depth, and especially welcome in a culture that sometimes downplays nonromantic bonds. This is food for the soul.