Reclaiming Sisterhood

What happens when Black women choose to pause in a world that expects us to grind?In this powerful episode of Reclaiming Sisterhood, Kim Casey sits down with author, former civil rights attorney, and former CEO Darlene Hightower to explore rest as resistance. Together, they unpack the weight Black women carry—leading, sustaining, excelling—and the radical act of reclaiming time, energy, and alignment.

Darlene shares her journey of w...

In this episode of Reclaiming Sisterhood, co-host sits down with Cecile De Mello, Executive Director of Teamwork Englewood, for a powerful conversation about the unseen labor and overlooked leadership of Black women who sustain institutions without receiving the recognition, resources, or authority their work creates.Together, they explore what it means to be trusted to execute but not empowered to decide, the tension between cente...

In this episode of Reclaiming Sisterhood, Kim and Adrienne sit down with educator and advocate Gizelle Clemens to challenge what we’ve been taught about Black excellence—and who gets to define it. Together, they explore how excellence has become both a source of pride and a heavy burden, shaped by capitalism, ableism, and respectability politics.This conversation centers the often-unseen labor of Black women who lead, carry, and cr...

In this episode, Kim and Adrienne sit down with Karen Freeman Wilson, President & CEO of the Chicago Urban League, to unpack the real dynamics of collaboration among Black women in leadership. Together, they explore the difference between true allyship and “coopetition,” the myths of scarcity culture, and what it takes to build collective power rooted in grace, honesty, and action.

Karen shares wisdom from decades of public serv...

In this episode, we unpack what it really means for Black women to carry excellence everywhere—at work, at home, and in community—while constantly being told they’re “too much,” “too loud,” or “too ambitious.” When brilliance is both celebrated and punished, how do Black women navigate systems that reward mediocrity yet demand their mastery?

We’re joined by Nicole Robinson, CEO of YWCA Chicago, to explore the emotional, professiona...

In this special live episode, recorded at Becoming Together, a two-day gathering hosted by Chicago Women in Philanthropy and Become, hosts Kim Casey and Adrienne Johnson sit down with Dr. Dominica McBride, CEO of Become and author of Becoming a Changemaker. Together, they unpack what it means to reclaim sisterhood and redefine leadership through healing, connection, and collective power. From confronting the exhaustion of our curre...

In this mini-episode of Reclaiming Sisterhood, hosts Kim Casey and Adrienne Johnson go deeper—unpacking the masks Black women wear, the exhaustion of workplace culture, and the healing power of grace and authenticity. From navigating systemic pressures to embracing radical self-expression (yes, even gray hair as revolutionary!), this conversation sets the tone for the movement ahead. Subscribe now and join us as we reclaim our stor...

Reclaiming Sisterhood is a new podcast centering the diverse experiences of Black women—unfiltered, unapologetic, and rooted in truth. Hosted by Kimberly Casey and Adrienne Johnson, we’re myth-busting stereotypes, celebrating our magic, and building a movement of grace, authenticity, and action. This trailer sets the stage for season one: conversations on workplace dynamics, self-care, leadership, generational wisdom, allyship, and...