061 | Superwoman Syndrome: The Cost of Being Everything to Everyone w/ Dr. Venessa Perry

Why are Black women still expected to carry everything without complaint?

They keep telling Black women to be strong, to push through, to hold it all together. But what they never address is the damage that message leaves behind—mentally, physically, emotionally. The burnout, the silence, the pressure to succeed at the expense of our well-being.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right and still paying too high a price, you're not imagining it. You're navigating systems that were never designed with your safety in mind.

In this special National Black Girl Month™ episode, you're invited into a powerful conversation with Dr. Vanessa Perry, global thought leader, psychologist, and CEO of The Perry Group. Alongside Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown, we explore what Superwoman Syndrome actually costs Black women—and how to stop carrying what was never ours to begin with.

This episode answers the unspoken questions so many Black women ask themselves:

• Why do I feel like success is wearing me down?

• Is it possible to lead without losing myself?

• How do I reclaim peace when the world expects performance?

Dr. Perry shares insights from over 25 years of research and executive advising in Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and high-level leadership spaces. Together, we discuss how to name the cycle, build supportive community, and create spaces—personally and professionally—where Black women no longer have to prove themselves to belong.

This isn’t just about workplace equity. It’s about redefining what thriving looks like on our own terms.

→ Learn more and access your free toolkit at nationalblackgirlmonth.com
→ Join our virtual community: facebook.com/groups/nationalblackgirlmonth

→ Connect with Dr. Venessa Perry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venessam/
→ Connect with Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown: www.instagram.com/dr.rikesha
→ Connect with Felicia Ford: www.threads.net/@friendscallmefe

Join Momentum Lab: https://lab.feliciafordandco.com

About Dr. Venessa Perry:

Dr. Venessa M. Perry is a trailblazing organizational psychologist, executive coach, author, and global thought leader, recognized for her dynamic impact in shaping inclusive, high-performing organizations. As the visionary Founder and CEO of Health Resources Solutions dba The Perry Group, she has led the firm for over 25 years, delivering transformational leadership and organizational development consulting with an unwavering commitment to equity. Her expertise has empowered C-suite executives at Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and non-profits to drive meaningful, sustainable change for their organizations and communities. Dr. Venessa's groundbreaking research centers on the career mobility and well-being of Black and Brown women in the workplace, with a focus on gendered racism and the often-overlooked impact of peri(menopause) on leadership potential. Her forthcoming book, The Path to Inclusivity: How to Create Safety, Well-Being, and Belonging for Black Women in Financial Services, set to be released by Palgrave and Macmillan in early 2025, is already being hailed as a must-read for executives committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. A powerhouse speaker and contributor, Dr. Venessa is in high demand across national and international stages, where she has captivated audiences on topics such as leadership, equity, and women's health in the workplace. She has been featured on a variety of influential podcasts, including Intentional Conversations, Wills, Women and Wealth, What’s Possible, Embodied Justice, and The WhatNow Movement. In July 2024, she delivered a landmark presentation on peri(menopause) in the workplace at the Diversity Network Inclusion Festival in the UK, sparking global dialogue. Named one of the top leadership voices on LinkedIn and consistently recognized as one of Washington, DC’s top executive coaches from 2022 to 2024, Dr. Venessa’s thought leadership continues to shape the future of business and organizational health. She has been featured in Forbes, Medium, CanvaRebel, HuffPost, Cosmopolitan, and more, sharing her insights with diverse audiences around the world. Dr. Venessa is a respected member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, and the American Psychological Association. A proud Desert Storm veteran, she passionately advocates for veteran mental health, entrepreneurship, and homelessness solutions. With a PhD in Organizational Psychology, as well as master’s degrees in Public Health and Psychology, Dr. Venessa is a lifelong learner who believes in giving back. She actively serves her community through her involvement with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Diversity Council at the University of Michigan, and as the first Black President of George Washington University’s Alumni Association. A mentor and coach to countless emerging leaders, Dr. Venessa embodies the belief that "We are better when we are together." Her life's work is a testament to the power of collaboration, inclusion, and transformative leadership.