S8E3: Honoring Our Stories with Dr. Menah Pratt

2025-10-30

In this conversation, Laura welcomes Dr. Menah Pratt, scholar and author. Using Menah's memoir, Blackwildgirl, as a powerful example; they explore how journaling can be a tool for self-awareness and growth. In Blackwildgirl, Menah shares her journey from eight years old to present day and her quest to reclaim the untamed, bold, and creative spirit of girlhood that was stifled in her rigid upbringing. She recounts her experience of unearthing 45 years of journaling to tell this story, and the transformative power she was able to reclaim from her own story. Building off her personal story, she shares how journaling can be a path to power and freedom for listeners. Tune into this episode and ...

In Blackwildgirl, Menah shares her journey from eight years old to present day and her quest to reclaim the untamed, bold, and creative spirit of girlhood that was stifled in her rigid upbringing. She recounts her experience of unearthing 45 years of journaling to tell this story, and the transformative power she was able to reclaim from her own story.

Building off her personal story, she shares how journaling can be a path to power and freedom for listeners. Tune into this episode and be inspired to with practical insights on how to honor your story.

About Dr. Menah

Menah Pratt is an award-winning nationally and internationally recognized leader, scholar, and author. She has over 30 years of experience in higher education in senior leadership roles at major public and private universities, including Vanderbilt, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Fisk University.

She has often served in inaugural roles as Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Diversity Officer, Chief of Staff, Secretary of the University, and University Counsel. She has five degrees, including a law degree and PhD in sociology from Vanderbilt University.

As a tenured full professor, she is the author of Blackwildgirl: A Writer's Journey to Take Back her Superpower and companion journal, Finding your Superpower. She is also the founder and co-editor of a new journal series: Dear Higher Education: Letters from the Social Justice Mountain featuring over 50 letters from across the United States and globally on issues of social justice in higher education. She is committed to working to make the world a better place, especially for those most marginalized in society.

Connect with Dr. Menah

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/menahpratt/
Website: www.menahpratt.com
Click here to purchase her book, blackwildgirl

BWL Resources:

Now enrolling for both the January sessions of the Early Career and Mid-Career programs. Learn more at https://blackwomanleading.com/programs-overview/
Full podcast episodes are now on Youtube. Subscribe to the BWL channel today!
Check out the BWL theme song here
Check out the BWL line dance tutorial here
Download the Black Woman Leading Career Journey Map - https://blackwomanleading.com/journey-map/