When Success Still Doesn't Feel Safe

Yesterday, I had the distinct honor of being interviewed by Kay Wicker of theGrio for an article about Black families reconsidering life in predominantly white communities after the Karmelo Anthony verdict.

As I prepared for this interview, I wrestled with wanting to truly speak to the needs of our community while also being balanced and responsible on a public platform.

I found myself thinking about deeper questions:

*What is safety, and how do we decide where that is?

*Who has done their own trauma-informed work in our communities?

*Where do our children feel seen?

*Where do children go when they are facing challenges?

For many Black families, conversations about neighborhoods, schools, and community are not just practical decisions. They are emotional ones that require more than the information we can find online. They carry questions about belonging, protection, affirmation, and trust.

And honestly, many high-functioning Black women are carrying similar questions in their own lives, even outside of parenting:

*Where can I be fully myself?

*Where do I feel emotionally safe?

*Where am I performing success while privately masking how unsupported I feel?

Therapy can be a space to begin loosening the heavy masks you wear — and to make room for the grief, worry, sadness, exhaustion, and desire to feel more grounded.

If this conversation resonates with you, I invite you to read the full article and reflect on what safety, belonging, and support mean in your own life.

Ready to feel more supported? Schedule a consultation at drericawilkins.com/contact