About this Episode
Episode 16 takes a sober look at how older Black women carry the triple jeopardy of racism, sexism and ageism—especially from our wallets. We tap into our soon-to-be launched Primetime55+ campaign saluting older Black women. They are masterful at what they do—usually overperforming—but often underacknowledged. We are also joined by younger counterparts who plan to embrace the inevitable journey of aging with grace, wisdom and reverence. We close with a debut of a new theme song that embodies the spirit and mission of Unerased | Black Women Speak.
In this Episode
Gwen McKinney
Unerased | Black Women Speak, Creator
“Older, younger sisters together, we learn from each other—mentors and proteges—in a dosie doe square dance. Together we all stand on shoulders of formerly enslaved and warrior ancestors whose sacrifice and struggle boosted them—and us—to heights once unimagined.”
Julianne Malveaux
“I thought I was going to always be sitting on top of the world. I truly didn’t think the great Julianne Malveaux would spend a year with no income. It just never occurred to me. And that’s what happened.”
Elizabeth Diane White
“One stat that really summarizes our lifetime of disadvantage: the median wealth for black women, 60 and older is $11,000. And I’m talking about educated black women, compared to white women in the same cohort it’s $384,000.”
Alyssa Davis
Gen Z
“I am a little scared of getting older, but it age comes with a lot of positiveness, too. Growth happens with age and experience. Age means growth – coming into yourself and knowing who you are.”
Mariah McClain
Millennial
“Aging means getting better. It’s nuanced–there’s both your physical health and mental health–but what I mean is getting better at life.”
MaSheva King
Gen X
“To me, aging means coming into my own peace. It’s the ability to choose the next half of my 50 plus years. Continuously learning and growing from both those before me and coming after me.”
Carolyn Malachi
Host
Our host convened a trusted circle to kickback and react to Black women’s experiences with the three -isms: ageism, sexism, and racism.
