Black Girls Think & Grow Rich Book Club

About the Book

# The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women

## Major Health Crisis Among Black Women Generated from Systemic Racism

“Marita Golden’s The Strong Black Woman busts the myth that Black women are fierce and resilient by letting the reader in under the mask that proclaims ‘Black don’t crack.’” ―Karen Arrington, coach, mentor, philanthropist, and author of NAACP Image Award-winning Your Next Level Life
Sarton Women’s Book Award
#1 New Release in Reference
Meet Black women who have learned through hard lessons the importance of self-care and how to break through the cultural and family resistance to seeking therapy and professional mental health care.
The Strong Black Woman Syndrome. For generations, in response to systemic racism, Black women and African American culture created the persona of the Strong Black Woman, a woman who, motivated by service and sacrifice, handles, manages, and overcomes any problem, any obstacle. The syndrome calls on Black women to be the problem-solvers and chief caretakers for everyone in their lives―never buckling, never feeling vulnerable, and never bothering with their pain.
Hidden mental health crisis of anxiety and depression. To be a Black woman in America is to know you cannot protect your children or guarantee their safety, your value is consistently questioned, and even being “twice as good” is often not good enough. Consequently, Black women disproportionately experience anxiety and depression. Studies now conclusively connect racism and mental health―and physical health.
Take care of your emotional health. You deserve to be emotionally healthy for yourself and those you love. More and more young Black women are re-examining the Strong Black Woman syndrome and engaging in self-care practices that change their lives.
Hear stories of Black women who:

• Asked for help
• Built lives that offer healing
• Learned to accept healing

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Black Girls Think & Grow Rich
Book Club Basic Ground Rules

1. Members who haven’t read the book – Come anyway. Not everyone can finish every book, but non-readers may still have valuable insights.
2. Disagreements about the book – Be gracious! There is no one way to experience or interpret a book. In fact, differing opinions are good.
3. Maintain Focus – Discussion time will be limited to discussion about the book. There is time to socialize before and after the book club meeting.
4. Confidentiality – What is said at the book club meeting stays at the book club meeting. Members may choose to share personal insights and we want to respect their willingness to be open, candid or vulnerable.
5. Quiet Environment – Cell phones and other electronic devices should be placed on silent or vibrate so not to disturb the discussion.
6. Support our venue – The venue is providing a free meeting place for the book club, so please support them by purchasing food and/or drink. No outside food or drink should be brought into the venue.
7. Keep it moving – Please be concise with your insights and comments so we have time to hear from as many members as possible.
8. Time – Please be on time or early if possible. That gives everyone time to get settled and socialize before the meeting, so we can begin and end on time.

About the Book

TBD

**********************************************

Black Girls Think & Grow Rich
Book Club Basic Ground Rules

1. Members who haven’t read the book – Come anyway. Not everyone can finish every book, but non-readers may still have valuable insights.

2. Disagreements about the book – Be gracious! There is no one way to experience or interpret a book. In fact, differing opinions are good.

3. Maintain Focus – Discussion time will be limited to discussion about the book. There is time to socialize before and after the book club meeting.

4. Confidentiality – What is said at the book club meeting stays at the book club meeting. Members may choose to share personal insights and we want to respect their willingness to be open, candid or vulnerable.

5. Quiet Environment – Cell phones and other electronic devices should be placed on silent or vibrate so not to disturb the discussion.

6. Support our venue – The venue is providing a free meeting place for the book club, so please support them by purchasing food and/or drink. No outside food or drink should be brought into the venue.

7. Keep it moving – Please be concise with your insights and comments so we have time to hear from as many members as possible.

8. Time – Please be on time or early if possible. That gives everyone time to get settled and socialize before the meeting, so we can begin and end on time.

About the Book

TBD

**********************************************

Black Girls Think & Grow Rich
Book Club Basic Ground Rules

1. Members who haven’t read the book – Come anyway. Not everyone can finish every book, but non-readers may still have valuable insights.

2. Disagreements about the book – Be gracious! There is no one way to experience or interpret a book. In fact, differing opinions are good.

3. Maintain Focus – Discussion time will be limited to discussion about the book. There is time to socialize before and after the book club meeting.

4. Confidentiality – What is said at the book club meeting stays at the book club meeting. Members may choose to share personal insights and we want to respect their willingness to be open, candid or vulnerable.

5. Quiet Environment – Cell phones and other electronic devices should be placed on silent or vibrate so not to disturb the discussion.

6. Support our venue – The venue is providing a free meeting place for the book club, so please support them by purchasing food and/or drink. No outside food or drink should be brought into the venue.

7. Keep it moving – Please be concise with your insights and comments so we have time to hear from as many members as possible.

8. Time – Please be on time or early if possible. That gives everyone time to get settled and socialize before the meeting, so we can begin and end on time.

About the Book

TBD

**********************************************

Black Girls Think & Grow Rich
Book Club Basic Ground Rules

1. Members who haven’t read the book – Come anyway. Not everyone can finish every book, but non-readers may still have valuable insights.

2. Disagreements about the book – Be gracious! There is no one way to experience or interpret a book. In fact, differing opinions are good.

3. Maintain Focus – Discussion time will be limited to discussion about the book. There is time to socialize before and after the book club meeting.

4. Confidentiality – What is said at the book club meeting stays at the book club meeting. Members may choose to share personal insights and we want to respect their willingness to be open, candid or vulnerable.

5. Quiet Environment – Cell phones and other electronic devices should be placed on silent or vibrate so not to disturb the discussion.

6. Support our venue – The venue is providing a free meeting place for the book club, so please support them by purchasing food and/or drink. No outside food or drink should be brought into the venue.

7. Keep it moving – Please be concise with your insights and comments so we have time to hear from as many members as possible.

8. Time – Please be on time or early if possible. That gives everyone time to get settled and socialize before the meeting, so we can begin and end on time.