Sister Table Talk Blog

Sarah's world turned upside down on a Tuesday morning when she received the divorce papers, coinciding with the week her job was eliminated. With two kids, a mortgage to pay, and no clear direction for her future, she felt overwhelmed. However, six months later, she was running her own consulting business and had never felt more confident about what lay ahead. What changed? Sarah learned that empowerment isn't something that happens to you; it's something you create for yourself. Beyond the Paycheck: What Real Empowerment Looks Like Economic empowerment goes beyond your bank account balance. It involves having the ability to make choices about your life, the confidence to pursue your goals, and the clarity to envision a path forward, even when circumstances appear challenging. When women are economically empowered, they can survive unexpected challenges and transform them into opportunities. They move from reacting to life to actively creating the life they want. Th...

"The Big Beautiful Bill" was initially promoted as a significant advancement for American families. However, following its passage and the decline in public enthusiasm, a different reality has emerged. The legislation appears to provide more reductions in services than benefits, particularly impacting low-income households, women of color, and women-led families who are the most vulnerable and who cannot afford to lose crucial support, raising an important question: Whose beauty are we celebrating? What's Actually in the Bill: A Closer Loo k Instead of expanding opportunity as promised, the bill introduces deep reductions to social safety net programs millions of Americans rely on to survive and thrive. SNAP (Food Stamps) Under Attack The bill introduces stricter eligibility criteria and expands work requirements, which may disproportionately affect single mothers and older women. When considering the impact of inflation, the actual value of benefit amounts is dimin...

A recent report by the New York Times delves into the concept of the motherhood penalty, which refers to the significant decrease in earnings mothers experience after the birth of their children. This report highlights that, on average, American mothers earn 42 percent less than their male counterparts, even 15 years after graduating from college - an issue extending beyond missing work and stemming from systemic biases and outdated policies that contribute to this disparity. Research indicates mothers face biases in hiring, advancement, and pay, even in flexible roles, leading many to trade full-time wages for family needs. A Reddit commenter expressed a striking realization: that the unacknowledged and undervalued labor of mothers is the foundation of our societal structures and economic systems, revealing a deep-seated disregard for the vital contributions mothers make to our communities and economy. The Women's Law Center highlights the penalties facing mothers in the wo...

Confidence doesn’t come from a lack of talent; it often comes from years of being told, subtly or overtly, that you don’t belong. For Black women, this experience can be especially layered. The confidence gap isn’t just about gender; it’s also about race, culture, and the spaces we move through. From underrepresentation in leadership to microaggressions in the workplace, Black women often choose to shrink, silence, or edit themselves just to be seen as “professional.” These barriers harm our careers and decrease our confidence, but we’re not staying small. Programs like InfuseHer and safe community spaces are helping Black women reclaim their voice and rewrite their narratives. We’re stepping forward, standing tall, and owning our brilliance on our terms. Let’s keep the conversation going: 👉🏽 How can we better support the confidence and leadership of Black women in our networks?

"Where there is no vision, the people perish…" - Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) "Write the vision and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." - Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV) The Fog of Uncertainty She stares at the blank page, overwhelmed by the weight of decisions ahead (e.g., career changes, relationship choices, ministry directions), and her questions multiply faster than answers: What is God calling me to do, and am I moving in the right direction, or what if I make the wrong choice? Sound familiar? In a world of endless options and constant noise, clarity can feel like a luxury reserved for the spiritual elite, but what if clarity isn't simply nice to have but a divine necessity? Vision: The Difference Between Wandering and Walking Proverbs 29:18 carries a sobering truth: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The Hebrew word for "perish" doesn't mean death; it means to be unrestrained, to cast off restraint, to be...

Many women experience feelings of invisibility in their everyday lives, and this shared sentiment highlights the importance of connection and support in amplifying our voices and empowering one another to shine more brightly. In the workplace, it is not uncommon for women's ideas to get overlooked and restated by male colleagues, who then receive immediate recognition and approval, creating feelings of invisibility for women in professional environments. Similarly, at home, parents might experience moments where their guidance is dismissed by their teenagers, only to be acknowledged later when shared with peers. This repetitive cycle of being ignored can foster a sense of frustration and questioning of one's visibility and value within professional and personal spheres. The Weight of Being Unseen Shows Up in Countless Ways Your contributions at work get overlooked or credited to someone else Your emotional labor at home goes unnoticed and unappreciated Years of fait...

Since 2017, Black women’s labor market experience has reflected both deep systemic inequities and the fallout from significant policy shifts. Our analysis of employment trends, using data from the Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reveals a nuanced picture: Black women made pre-pandemic employment gains but suffered greater economic losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an uneven and incomplete recovery. Key Trends: Occupational Segregation: Many Black women remain in underpaid, undervalued roles in caregiving, retail, and service industries—jobs most vulnerable to job cuts and instability. Policy Rollbacks: The erosion of DEI programs and worker protections has closed off paths to career advancement. Childcare Crisis: The lack of investment in affordable, accessible childcare has forced many women to reduce hours or leave the workforce entirely. Persistent Pay Gap: Black women earn just 66¢ for every dollar earned by white men—a figure that h...

Society has long conditioned women to subtly and overtly regard daily survival as sufficient. Many women live minimally and celebrate getting through the day rather than striving for personal growth and achievement. This mindset often leads to feelings of guilt when desiring more from life. However, operating in survival mode is not a natural state; it restricts our true potential and possibilities for a fulfilling life. Embracing the idea of thriving can unlock opportunities for spiritual, emotional, and financial growth and fulfillment as a daily practice, not as a once-a-year vacation. The Survival Trap Many women who feel like they are simply existing often prioritize the needs of others above their own. They may experience guilt when taking time to rest or believe that struggling is a virtue. Survival mode can deceive them with messages like, "You should be grateful for what you have" when they dare to dream, or "That's selfish" when they try to prior...

An analysis of recent policy changes and their implications for economic equity, healthcare access, and opportunity Since returning to office in January 2025, the Trump administration has implemented several significant policy changes that directly impact women of color across multiple dimensions of economic and social life. This analysis examines these policies through the lens of pay equity, career advancement, childcare access, healthcare, and affordable housing. Pay Equity and Career Advancement The administration's approach to workplace regulations has raised concerns among equity advocates. In March 2025, the Labor Department suspended the implementation of pay data collection requirements intended to identify wage disparities based on gender and race. This rollback of transparency measures could make it more challenging to identify and address systemic pay gaps that disproportionately affect women of color, who continue to experience the widest wage disparities in the Am...

I’ve been thinking about Marian Wright Edelman’s reminder that “you can’t be what you can’t see.” Those seven words sit at the heart of our C1B1 Summit, and if I’m honest, they sit at the heart of my story, too. A Moment of Recognition When I was a young girl thumbing through social-studies textbooks, powerful Black women were footnotes at best; however, I felt an unmistakable tug inside: One day, I’ll help women like me step onto bigger stages. Fast forward to today, that tug has a name inspired by Marian Wright Edelman: The C1B1 Summit. From Conference Ballroom to Congressional Floor At each summit, we spotlight women who have overcome barriers in tech, finance, health, and public service. However, in the current political climate, I find myself drawn to one arena in particular: Congress. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm - was not supposed to win in 1968, yet she became the first Black woman in the House. Representative Ayanna Pressley - said she ran “not to make history but to...

The unique ache that comes from knowing your calling and feeling like you can't afford to answer it is a raw, painful space between knowing what you're meant to do and having the resources to embrace it. This is where many brilliant women find themselves today, and where I found myself just this week. The Confession No One Expects from a Leader I woke up feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure about my next career move because I know my purpose and love what I do through my nonprofit, The SOFEI Group. Bills, burnout, and lack of support felt heavier than my vision, and the thought that "my time on this earth is running out, and I still haven't made it", crept in before I could stop it. This harsh thought motivated me to share this blog post with you today. If you feel like you're racing the clock while running on empty, this message is especially for you because the world needs your purpose-driven work, even though you need a sustainable path to deliver...

In many faith practices, "submission" holds deep spiritual significance. It can represent humility before the divine, mutual respect between partners, and the voluntary yielding of one's will as an act of devotion. However, this beautiful spiritual principle becomes contorted into something unrecognizable, a tool of control, limitation, and inequality. The Distortion of a Sacred Concept When examining religious texts across traditions, submission is not considered a gendered subjugation. Instead, it is a mutual spiritual practice, a reciprocal dance of respect and consideration. In Christian contexts, for example, while Ephesians 5:22 instructs wives to submit to their husbands, the preceding verse (oftentimes overlooked) calls for mutual submission: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . The distortion occurs when submission becomes one-directional, demanded from women while exempting men from the same standard. This selective application transforms a s...

Every dream delayed, goal abandoned, or vision buried often traces back to a quiet but powerful source: self-limiting beliefs . These are not merely passing doubts but deeply rooted thought patterns that persistently whisper: "I am not smart enough." "I missed my moment." "People like me don't get ahead." "I'm too old to start now." "My past disqualifies my future." The Divine Call to Freedom God did not create us to live small, silenced, or stuck, but for renewal, empowerment, and freedom. John 10:10 reminds us, The thief cometh not, but to steal, kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and more abundantly. The beautiful truth is this: God's Word equips us with everything we need to challenge the thoughts that try to keep us bound and embrace breakthrough thinking instead. Four Divine Tools for Transforming Your Mindset Let's explore how four powerful verses can help us overcome self-li...

Confidence is influenced not solely by skill, knowledge, or talent; it stems from external messages individuals receive about their existence in diverse spaces (e.g., years of being told, subtly or overtly, that we do not belong). For Black women, this challenge is particularly pronounced and emotionally taxing. Beyond the Gender Gap: The Intersectional Reality The much-discussed "confidence gap" extends far beyond gender alone. For Black women, confidence navigates the complex intersection of gender, race, and cultural expectations—creating unique barriers in professional and personal environments. Research from McKinsey's Women in the Workplace study found that Black women are more likely to have their judgment questioned in their area of expertise and are less likely to receive support from managers than their counterparts. These realities affect career trajectories and fundamentally impact how Black women perceive their capabilities and worth. The Daily Battle ...

In the current political climate, characterized by policies and executive orders linked to Donald Trump that threaten the rights of women and marginalized communities, many individuals may experience feelings of being overwhelmed, lost, or frustrated. However, it is imperative to recognize that within each person lies a significant capacity: the ability to overcome challenges, resist injustices, and convert adversity into opportunities for personal and collective growth. Our struggles are not just political; they cut to the core of our personal lives and sense of worth. But history has shown us that when women come together, united by resilience and purpose, we can create change that transcends any policy or executive order. Our strength lies in our ability to support one another, share our stories, and stand firm in our commitment to equality, justice, and human dignity. Now is the time to reclaim our narrative. Each of us has a voice that matters - a voice that can challenge inju...

Under the guise of efficiency, sweeping federal cuts are reshaping the economy, not for the public good, but for private profit. While proponents argue these initiatives are cost-saving, the reality is that they are disrupting essential public services, strengthening corporate interests, and contributing to growing economic inequality. The Hidden Impact: Disruption That Hurts Communities These cuts do not merely reduce budgets; they undermine essential services like education, workforce development, and healthcare. When these programs struggle, it is everyday people, particularly low-income families, who suffer the most. This chaos isn’t accidental - it’s strategic. By dismantling these public services, policymakers create a vacuum that private corporations eagerly fill, turning once-accessible resources into profit-driven enterprises. The Power Shift: Privatization at a Price As federal services vanish, profit-driven companies are gaining control. Education, job training, and ev...

Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Carmen's Triumph Carmen checked her email with a familiar sinking feeling - another promotion announcement that her name wasn't on. After eight years of dedicated service at her engineering firm, she has watched countless male colleagues with similar or lesser qualifications ascend the ranks while her career remained stagnant despite invariably positive performance reviews. The pattern was undeniable, and instead of accepting this reality, Carmen took charge of her story by investing evenings and weekends pursuing specialized certifications to highlight her technical expertise, strategically expanded her professional network beyond her immediate team, and started connecting with decision-makers across the organization. Lastly, she confidently positions herself in leadership conversations, offering solutions rather than identifying problems. Carmen's calculated boldness paid off when appointed as the first Latina vice president in her ...

Rising Beyond Bias: Michelle's Story Michelle had spent years excelling in her IT role, yet promotions always seemed to bypass her. Feedback often included vague remarks like "not quite ready" or "lacking leadership presence." Frustrated but determined, Michelle sought mentorship, enrolled in a leadership development course, and began volunteering to lead cross-functional projects. When another opportunity arose, Michelle confidently presented her achievements, proving her readiness. Today, she's a senior IT director and actively mentors other women to claim their rightful space in leadership. Key Takeaway: Bias thrives in ambiguity. Document your achievements, seek mentorship, and create your leadership opportunities. Overcoming Discrimination: Aisha's Journey Aisha's journey as a Black woman in finance came with challenges. She often found herself excluded from key conversations and networking opportunities. Rather than accept invisibility...

Belief holds significant power in our lives. It can manifest as a source of hope or a motivating force that compels individuals to take action. This belief encourages people to rise above challenges and obstacles, even when facing adversity. Belief also plays a crucial role in fostering resilience and determination, allowing individuals to pursue their goals. In John 5:8, Jesus told the man waiting by the pool for 38 years, Get up, pick up your mat, and walk! The man’s healing didn’t come from sitting by the water. It came from believing he could rise by acting on that belief. Sisters, how often do we find ourselves stuck waiting for the right time, resources, or opportunity? We tell ourselves we will start the business when we save more money, return to school once the kids are older, or apply for that promotion when we feel more confident. But what if our breakthrough isn’t about waiting but about moving? Here’s the truth: your belief becomes powerful when you pair it with...

For years, the American public has believed that billionaires are self-made visionaries, disrupting industries and driving economic progress. When we look closer, the reality tells a different story - one of the government handouts for the ultra-wealthy. In contrast, everyday workers, particularly government employees, are left out in the cold. Elon Musk, a prime example of this contradiction, has built an empire with the help of government contracts, tax incentives, and subsidies, all while advocating for slashing the very public sector jobs that sustain millions of families. The Government-Funded Rise of a Billionaire SpaceX: Over $10 billion in NASA and Department of Defense contracts. Tesla: Nearly $1.3 billion in federal and state subsidies for factories and electric vehicle production. SolarCity (now part of Tesla): Benefitted from government solar incentives and tax breaks. Government support played a critical role in Musk’s financial success. Despite this, he has r...