The group chat had already been buzzing for days, but it wasn’t until they gathered — in a living room filled with the scent of candles and something warm on the stove — that the real work began.
Not work in the traditional sense. Not deadlines or deliverables. But the kind of work Black women so often carry quietly: Holding space, telling truths, letting their guard down in a world that rarely permits them to do so.
This was a sister circle.
And for Jodi Williams, it’s a coveted time to recharge, rejuvenate…and just be.
“This is less of a luxury and more of a lifeline,” says Williams, who gathers regularly with a group of her friends to just have an emotional release. “When I’m with my sisterfriends, I don’t have to be everything for everybody.”
Across Houston and beyond, sister circles — intentional gatherings rooted in trust, shared experience, and collective care — are creating space for Black women to breathe, to be seen, and to rebuild in community. Sister circles are support groups that build upon existing friendships, fictive kin networks, and the sense of community found among African American females. Originally embedded in the Black club movement, sister circles have been a vital part of Black female life for the last 150 years.
For many, they offer:
· Support & Mental Health: Research indicates that “sister circles help lower anxiety, increase feelings of belonging, and provide mentorship. These networks serve as crucial spaces for managing stress and navigating hostile environments.
· Political Mobilization: Black women engage in “sisterhood politics,” often acting as a collective bloc. For example, a vast majority of Black women voted similarly in recent elections (e.g., 92% voted for Kamala Harris).
· Professional & Academic Success: A nine-year study of Black female academics showed that “sister scholarship”—a form of academic peer mentorship—was essential for their retention and success in the academy.
· Economic Impact: “Sister circles” are frequently used in the workplace, community, and service organizations to support professional development and mentorship.
A space to be seen and heard
For Black women navigating the pressures of career, family, and societal expectations, the ability to show up authentically can feel rare.
“Black women, especially those who work in corporate American have to be on ten every day,” said Nettie Jones, a licensed therapist specializing in Girlfriend Therapy. “They’re often praised for their strength, but rarely given space to rest in their softness.”
Inside these circles, there is no need to code-switch or curate.
“You don’t have to explain yourself when we gather,” Williams said. “They already understand.”
From healing to elevation
While emotional support is central, many sister circles are also engines for growth. Professional connections are made over brunch. Business ideas are refined in group chats. Opportunities are shared freely, without competition.
“This is our time to uplift one another,” said Julie Smith Fields, who leads a Houston-based women’s collective. “We don’t just talk about winning — we actively help each other get there.”
That support can translate into real outcomes: New jobs, partnerships, funding, and expanded networks.
“What we try to do with Champagne and Melanin is give women outlets that they might not otherwise find,” Smith Fields said.
A tradition rooted in survival and strength
Credit: ReShonda Tate
Long before the term “sister circle” gained popularity, Black women were building networks of care in churches, beauty salons, kitchens, and community halls. These spaces weren’t just social. They were strategic.
“Black women have always created community as a way to survive systems that were never designed to support them,” Jones said.
Today’s sister circles carry that same legacy, blending tradition with intention.
Healing in community
Jones says these spaces can be transformative.
“There is healing in being witnessed — especially by people who understand your reality without explanation,” Jones said.
For many, the act of speaking openly — and being heard — becomes its own form of therapy.
Building your own circle
Experts say sister circles don’t require large groups or formal structures — just consistency and trust.
- Start with a few women.
- Set intentions.
- Create boundaries that allow for honesty and confidentiality.
Social media has also expanded access to community, with organizations like Black Girls Who Read creating both digital and in-person spaces for connection.
The power of showing up
For Williams, her Sisterhood Brunches often stretch into dinner — laughter giving way to quiet reflection, reflection giving way to affirmation.
“We always try to put a time limit on it, but no one rushes to leave,” she said.
Because in a world that asks Black women to pour endlessly into others, spaces like these offer something rare in return: the chance to be poured into.
SIDEBAR: Where to Find Sister Circles
Looking for your community? Start here:
- Black Girls Who Read – National network connecting Black women through books, events, and retreats
- The Free Black Women’s Library (Houston pop-ups) – Community-centered gatherings around literature and culture
- Therapy for Black Girls (community events + directory) – Mental health resources and group conversations
- Meetup & Eventbrite groups – Search “Black women,” “wellness,” or “networking” in Houston
- Local church and faith-based women’s groups – Longstanding hubs for support and connection
- Social media communities – Instagram and Facebook groups centered on wellness, entrepreneurship, and sisterhood
Want to start your own?
- Keep it small and intentional
- Set clear expectations for trust and confidentiality
- Meet consistently (monthly or biweekly)
- Center on honesty, support, and accountability
