The Mentorship Gap for Black Women in Coaching | Representation Isn’t Enough (Ep. 6)

Описание: In Episode 6 of Three Black Women and Their White Coach, we shift from calling out harm to calling in vision. This conversation centers on the role of mentorship for Black women in coaching — what’s missing, what’s needed, and how we build something better.

We break down the difference between mentorship, coaching, sponsorship, and consulting. We talk about the visible leadership gap in the coaching industry, why Black women are often underrepresented at the highest levels, and how assimilation is too often mistaken for access.

We also explore the hard questions:
– What happens when success requires selling pieces of yourself?
– What does ethical referral actually look like?
– How do we create community instead of hierarchy?
– And are we open to being mentored the way we ask to be supported?

This episode is rooted in hope. Mentorship isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about walking alongside someone with integrity, humility, and cultural awareness.

If you're a white coach, this is an invitation to examine how you use your platform, your rooms, and your access. Are you building community — or guarding proximity to power?

If you're a Black woman or woman of color, this is your reminder: seeking mentorship is not weakness. You deserve spaces that see your full identity and still make room for your leadership.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – What mentorship actually is (and what it isn’t)
02:00 – Mentorship vs coaching vs sponsorship
06:00 – The leadership gap in coaching spaces
13:30 – Success, assimilation & the cost of “making it”
22:00 – From tell-all to building something better
28:00 – Are we open to being mentored?
34:00 – Therapy stigma in the Black community
41:00 – Practical steps for Black women
44:30 – Practical steps for white coaches
49:45 – The Heart Check

Connect with the hosts:

Breanna LaShell
Instagram:   / coach_breannalashell  

Catryce Sutson
Instagram:   / catryce.sutson