A Review by Sammesha Dominguiez

Let me introduce you to a book you’ll absolutely love! The author’s writing is captivating, insightful, incredibly relatable and it will stay with you long after reading. Centered around the sisterhood of Black women, Sisterhood Heals begins by sending a powerful message: “the gathering of Black women is sacred, it is magical, and it is healing.” For many Black women, it can be challenging to form and build the type of sister-friendships we desire or seek to maintain. 

Throughout the book, Dr. Bradford thoroughly explores sisterhood among Black women, including how we can save space and show up for one another, build new friendships, be supportive friends, and create long-lasting bonds. For those who aren’t aware, Dr. Bradford is the creator behind the amazing podcast and Instagram page @therapyforblackgirls, where she offers great resources and advice for Black women. Her book not only empowers Black sisterhood but also helps readers understand how sacred our sister circles are to us. 

You may or may not be struggling within your friend groups, but this book offers so much insight and information that will make you look at things from a different perspective. We don’t always realize how much we need our friends or how much it means for us to show up for one another until the time comes when we’re in need. “The best way for Black women to thrive is through our healthy relationships with other Black women.” One thing that stood out in the book was how Dr. Bradford discusses the life stages our friendships go through and how to navigate them when things change. She also references the TV show Girlfriends as an example of the friendship circle, which may have you rewatching old episodes to understand her message. She notes that when Black women are in groups, sisters tend to fall into one of four roles: the Leader, the Wallflower, the Firecracker, and the Peacemaker.

The Leader

The friend who creates organization within the group. She is typically the cause of regular gatherings and most likely responsible for the emotional well-being of everyone.

The Wallflower 

The sister within the group who generally sits quietly and listens to others speak, but when she does talk, her words are usually the most impactful.

The Firecracker 

The friend who will say the things that need to be said, but not always in a gentle way. This friend, like the leader, tends to take up most of the space in the group.

The Peacemaker 

The sister who will send the “We need to talk” text message. This type of friend may have trouble setting boundaries in the group, resulting in them becoming people-pleasers. 

These roles may not apply to everyone, but they were a great example from the TV show. So, no matter what your stance is when it comes to female friendships, I highly recommend this book as your starting point to better understand them. 

ABOUT SAMMESHA DOMINGUEZ

Sammesha Dominguez is a healthcare worker in Tennessee and a full-time Health Studies student at the University of Memphis with a concentration in Health Science. In her spare time, she loves to read, spend time with her family and curate creative book content through her various social media platforms. You can find Sammesha on Instragram at @Lit_Vibrations.