Session 317: Intergenerational Friendship w/ Essence & Franceli

The Therapy for Black Girls Podcast is a weekly conversation with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia, about all things mental health, personal development, and all the small decisions we can make to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

It’s the summer of sisterhood, and what better way to celebrate than to showcase how Black women of all ages have fostered supportive, uplifting, and lifesaving friendships? It’s no secret that over here at TBG, we believe that “Sisterhood Heals” and today’s guests are a perfect example of the liberating impact our connections have.

For today’s conversation, I sat down with intergenerational besties Essence Atkins and Franceli Chapman. Essence has been a constant presence in our living rooms since the mid-’90s, starring in classics like “Smart Guy,” “Malibu Shores,” “Half & Half,” and “Are We There Yet.” Franceli is an award-winning Afro-Latina ‘Artivist,’ using her voice to speak on the need for inclusion and diversity in Hollywood. During our conversation, Essence and Franceli share the lessons they’ve learned from each other as a result of their 15-year age gap, their keys to maintaining a long-lasting sisterhood, and how they’ve navigated friendship in the entertainment industry. Please note that this interview was recorded prior to the commencement of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Resources & Announcements

Visit our Amazon Store for all the books mentioned on the podcast.

Grab your copy of Sisterhood Heals.

Take the quiz to find out your role in your Sister Circle.

Where to Find Our Guests

Essence Atkins

Franceli Chapman