Ep 244: Dr. Christena Cleveland on Exploring Black Womanhood and Spiritual Perspective

Christena Cleveland

Ph.D. in Social Psychology

University of California

 We're thrilled to introduce our guest, the distinguished Dr. Christena Cleveland, a social psychologist, public theologian, and author of the groundbreaking book, "God is a Black Woman." Prepare to be engrossed as she peels back the layers of her intriguing journey and how her love for fashion and design intertwines with her current retreat in central France, where she's exploring the symbolism of Black Madonna and sacred Black womanhood.

Graduate school decisions can be daunting - more so for minority students. Dr. Cleveland delves into how mentors were pivotal in shaping her academic career and how their guidance led her to UCSB for her PhD. She opens up about the complexities of being the only black woman in her cohort, the lack of diversity in graduate programs, and the unique hurdles she navigated. However, the journey wasn't solely challenging; our guest also shares the moments of solidarity and support she received amidst her trials.

The final act of our conversation takes a deep dive into Dr. Cleveland's book, "God as a Black Woman." She shares how her academic experiences, personal insights, and the sacred black feminine converged in its pages. Additionally, we touch on the transformative power of the Black Madonna's imagery and how it has shifted her perspective on power, abundance, and control. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that traverses academia, spirituality, and black womanhood.

About the cohort sistas podcast

The Cohort Sistas Podcast brings to life the stories, struggles, and successes of Black women and femmes with doctoral degrees and their lives beyond the degree. Find us on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to subscribe to The Cohort Sistas Podcast on your favorite podcast streaming platform, rate the show, and leave us a quick review.