Facing Uncertain Times Together: A Call to Unity and Resilience for Women in Leadership
Chasity Wells
I Coach the Movers & Shakers |??1st Black Mayor | I Support Municipal Leaders & Women Aspiring 2 Public Office 2 Navigate Gender Bias, Enhance Leadership Presence & Manage Boundaries So They Lead w/Confidence & Wellness
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As we reflect on the recent election, many of us are navigating a complex mix of fear, frustration, and a heavy certainty that the challenges ahead may feel more daunting than ever—especially for Black women. For generations, Black women have been the backbone of social change, leading movements for justice, equity, and progress. And yet, as I listen to Black women around me, I hear the weariness and pain of a question that keeps resurfacing: Who truly stands with us? Who values our lives and our contributions?
This past week, I had the opportunity to speak at the Chamber 630 Women in Business Networking Event. As one of the few Black women in the room, I opened my presentation by addressing the elephant in the room; the election and its far-reaching impact on our communities. I shared the pain and disappointment that so many Black people, especially Black women, are feeling right now. We have consistently championed change that benefits everyone, supporting causes that lift up entire communities, yet all too often, when our own well-being and dignity are at stake, the support we need is absent.
One of the hardest truths in this moment is a growing disconnect between Black women and some White women, especially those who have chosen to support a candidate whose policies actively harm Black communities. For many Black women, these votes feel deeply personal. This isn’t just about political preference; it’s about our survival, our safety, and our humanity. When White women vote for Trump, Black women often internalize this choice as a lack of care for us, our families, and our futures. It feels like a message that our lives, bodies, and communities are somehow less valuable.
The emotional, mental, and even physical toll of this disconnect is profound. Seeing women who may have been friends or allies endorse policies that threaten our safety, strip away our protections, and dismiss our progress feels like a profound betrayal. It’s a painful reminder that our struggles and lives are often overlooked when they come into conflict with others’ political comfort or choices. Many Black women carry this hurt in our minds, bodies, and spirits, knowing these policies will impact not just us, but our children, our communities, and future generations.
Consider Trump’s Project 2025, which includes plans to grant police immunity. For Black communities who have long suffered from disproportionate harm in encounters with law enforcement, this policy is terrifying. It’s as if our lives are deemed less worthy of protection, and that our pain and loss are acceptable casualties. Imagine living with the constant awareness that fewer safeguards exist for your safety or your children’s well-being in a system that already fails to hold law enforcement accountable; particularly in excessive force cases where so many unarmed Black men, women and children have been killed at the hands of law enforcement officers.
Then there’s Trump’s rhetoric about migrants “taking Black jobs,” which implies that Black people should fill low-wage, subservient roles rather than have access to opportunities that uplift and empower our communities. This isn’t just rhetoric; it sends a clear message about where he believes Black people “belong” in the socioeconomic order. For Black women, a vote for Trump feels like a vote to keep us in positions of struggle rather than providing paths to stability, growth, and generational progress.
And let’s not overlook recent remarks from the Vice Presidential candidate who stated they would “take the trash out of the White House.” To many of us, this felt like a direct attack on Vice President Kamala Harris, a Black and South Asian woman. For Black women, hearing ourselves referred to as “trash” is a painful reminder of how we are viewed by those in power. Trash is not valued. Trash is discarded, stepped on, ignored, and deemed worthless. This language conveys a disregard for Black women’s contributions, achievements, and humanity. It reinforces the idea that, despite all we do, we are still viewed as something disposable.
The physical toll of carrying this knowledge—knowing that some would rather see us cast aside—is significant. Trauma and stress have real impacts on our health, our longevity, and our well-being. Black women already face disproportionately high rates of stress-related health conditions. When our humanity is constantly disregarded, when we are expected to carry the weight of change while receiving little support in return, it affects every part of us: mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
In times like these, it’s natural to feel the urge to turn inward; to disconnect. But I encouraged everyone at the Chamber event, and I share this now with you, to resist that urge. True growth happens when we choose to step into uncomfortable spaces, to engage in difficult conversations, and to truly listen to each other’s experiences. As a women’s empowerment and leadership coach, I don’t just teach this; I embody it. Real progress begins with intentional connection, especially in moments of division and discomfort.
As a former mayor and policy advocate, I know the importance of serving with an open heart and mind. When I hired my team of department directors, I didn’t make choices based on political affiliation.? I prioritized shared values, a commitment to serve, and the expertise to move our then stagnant community forward. Leadership isn’t about surrounding ourselves with people who agree with us; it’s about reaching across divides and creating policies that reflect the needs of everyone.
In my own commitment to creating brave spaces for connection, I recently launched a weekly live chat called Catalyst Conversations and Connections. This is a space for us to come together, share experiences, and build the supportive networks we all need. I invite you to join me on this journey of unity and resilience. By connecting on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or visiting my website, you’ll stay up-to-date on resources, upcoming events, and opportunities to be part of these essential conversations.
If you’d like to connect, you can find me at:
And don’t forget: my next free webinar, “Boundaries by Design,” is coming up on November 22. This session will focus on practical steps for setting and upholding boundaries, especially as we enter the holiday season—a time when boundary-setting becomes even more essential.?
Sign up Form for November Webinar here: https://chasity-wells-catalyst-coaching-transformation.kit.com/321725fa70 .
Let’s continue to stand together, lean into discomfort, and work toward a future where all women are valued. When we come together in resilience and shared purpose, we create a stronger community and a more hopeful tomorrow……for ourselves, our daughters, and the generations to come.
In strength, solidarity and love,
Chasity