Love Intently

View Original

A Self Love Journey through Activism and a Year of Singleness, with Briona Jenkins, Consultant and Public Speaker

Sophie Kwok

The Love Intently Podcast Episode 62

See this content in the original post

Given the title, “The love child of Oprah, Beyonce, and Michelle Obama” , Briona Jenkins is a public speaker, activist for the LGBTQIA+, female, and people of color communities, and has years of experience using her platform to evoke change.

She is a true beacon of light in Austin, Texas, bringing 8 years of experience in the non profit sector and a huge passion for giving back to the community. She just recently launched her business, Briona Jenkins Consulting, where she helps small grassroots organizations and nonprofits with fundraising, marketing, donor relations, board development, and so much more. She is also the host of her podcast, The Tea with Bri.

In this episode of the Love Intently podcast, we dive into the journey of how Bri became the beautiful, confident, queer, 30 year old Black woman we see today, and what she still struggles with. She spills the tea on her whole year of singleness at the age of 30, the big lessons that came out of it, smashing the societal pressures around relationships and dating, and her radical journey of self love.

We get into her upbringing, how she had to learn to be very self sufficient from a young age due to her mother passing of cancer, and how she became so passionate about giving back to her community when so many neighbors, family, and friends stepped in to support her and her father during this difficult time.

We talk about Bri’s work in activism here in Austin Texas, and how you can get involved too. We discuss what her experience has been like living and dating as a queer Black woman, and in particular dive into the injustices and racism that goes on in the healthcare system. From there, Bri tells us what we personally can do about it and how to be a good ally.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode

  • Bri’s year of singleness at age 30, the lessons that came out of it, and the BS societal pressures around relationships and timelines

“I don't think we really sit with…who am I outside of partnership to anybody else? If everyone, I knew, God forbid disappeared off the face of the earth, who am I by myself?”

“Remember that me wanting to look sexy does not mean that I want to have sex with you.”

  • Bri’s struggles in dating as an independent, self-sufficient, confident queer Black woman and finding that many people find her “intimidating” because she has it so together

“Don't just date a Black woman for street cred. Don't just date a Black woman to say you dated a Black woman. We're not all the same, not all Black people are the same. We all have multitudes. Yes, being Black is a part of my identity, but it's not my end all be all definer.”

  • Bri’s upbringing, having to become self-sufficient from a young age because her mother passed away from cancer, and how this has influenced who she is today

  • What true allyship is, and a discussion on intersectionality, and particularly the injustices towards Trans Black women

“Specifically, the LGBTQ community, you might identify as just the Q, but that means you have to be an ally to every other letter and not erase them and not speak over them and give them the same amount of space. And then also in the Black Lives Matter movement, we mean ALL Black lives, not just the CIS hetero male, not just the CIS hetero women, like all levels of ability, all levels of privilege, education, socioeconomic, like there's all Black lives.”

  • How she got into activism, being inspired by having so many friends, neighbors, people in her community rallying around her and her family when her mom passed away

  • Nonprofits and organizations Briona is active in and how you can get involved too

  • A discussion around the racial injustices that go in systemically in the American healthcare system, and Bri’s personal experience fighting for reproductive justice, which is so much more than just abortion rights

Briona’s Love Truth

“Live a happy life, while doing the least amount of damage possible.”

Briona’s Best Relationship Advice

“You can love someone all the time, but it doesn’t mean you have to like them all the time. You’re allowed to call people out or call people in and be like, listen, this isn't really helping me anymore. I'm going to walk away from this relationship or this friendship, but I wish you all the best. I'll always love you, but I don't like you right now.”

What does Love Intently mean to you?

“Choosing. And however you want to unpack that, choosing to put yourself first, choosing to stay with this partner, choosing to try something new.”

Resources Mentioned

Untamed by Glennon, Doyle

The Rural Diaries by Hillary Burton Morgan

Thank you to our Sponsor!

The Adventure Challenge

Use “LOVEINTENTLY” for 10% off your first order

Connect with Briona Jenkins

Website: https://www.brionajenkins.com/

Instagram: @brionajenkins

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brionajenkins/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brionajjenkins/

The Tea with Bri Podcast: https://www.brionajenkins.com/the-tea-with-bri-podcast

Connect with Sophie and Love Intently

Take the Find Your Attachment Style Quiz to learn about your love language and attachment style to strengthen your relationship and love with intention.