Black women have been fighting against dehumanizing stereotypes for generations. From the “Angry Black Woman” trope to the hypersexualized “Jezebel,” these harmful narratives strip away humanity, silence voices, and justify mistreatment.

Dr. Raquel Martin is a clinical psychologist and fierce advocate for Black mental health. She is on a mission to dismantle these stereotypes and reclaim the truth. Through her work, she exposes how these labels fuel racism-related stress and block access to opportunities. Her message? Black women deserve to be seen, heard, and valued—without limits.

Martin is bringing her message of growth and empowerment to the return of Summit 21 at Blavity Fest 2025. Women will gain insights on maintaining mental well-being amidst life’s complexities. It’s a moment you don’t want to miss so secure your spot today!

The Power of Stereotypes

Through her social media platforms, Dr. Martin shares critical insights on how stereotypes harm Black women, contributing to racism-related stress and justifying violence.

Stereotypes are broad oversimplifications that reduce Black women to damaging tropes and strip away humanity. These portrayals have real-life consequences, affecting careers, relationships, and even safety. One major effect is stereotype threat, where the fear of confirming a negative stereotype hinders performance and personal growth. Martin’s research highlights how these stereotypes seep into daily experiences. Here’s a closer look at four of the most harmful stereotypes and what you can do to fight back.

1. The Sapphire/Angry Black Woman

Characteristics: Angry, bossy, independent, dominating, hostile.
Impact: This stereotype portrays Black women as aggressive and difficult, which is used to justify violence, lack of protection, and dismissive attitudes in the workplace. It leads to poorer performance evaluations and hinders leadership opportunities.
How to Combat It:

  • Challenge people when they try to label Black women as “angry” for asserting themselves.
  • Encourage workplaces to evaluate employees fairly and avoid bias in leadership assessments.

2. The Mammy

Characteristics: Maternal, subservient, dedicated to white families over her own.
Impact: This stereotype, often depicted as a dark-skinned, overweight woman with bright white teeth, reinforces the idea that Black women exist solely to serve and care for others at the expense of their own well-being. It creates unrealistic expectations of emotional labor and self-sacrifice.
How to Combat It:

  • Advocate for Black women’s autonomy and the right to rest and self-care.
  • Normalize saying “no” to excessive demands that do not serve your best interests.

3. The Jezebel

Characteristics: Seductive, sexually insatiable, manipulative.
Impact: This stereotype has been weaponized to justify sexual violence, the adultification of Black girls, and the stripping away of reproductive rights. It leads to the hypersexualization of Black women in media and contributes to victim-blaming in cases of sexual assault.
How to Combat It:

  • Reject media that oversexualizes Black women.
  • Support policies that protect Black women and girls from exploitation.
  • Elevate narratives that showcase Black women’s multidimensional identities beyond their physicality.

4. The Welfare Queen

Characteristics: Lazy, irresponsible, manipulative of government assistance.
Impact: This stereotype paints Black mothers as dysfunctional and undeserving of support, reinforcing the harmful idea that poverty is due to laziness rather than systemic inequality. It also increases the risk of Black women becoming entangled in the criminal legal system.
How to Combat It:

  • Challenge rhetoric that shames Black women for needing and using assistance programs.
  • Support initiatives that advocate for economic justice and fair wages for Black women.

How To Fight Back?

Dr. Raquel Martin encourages us to take an intentional approach to dismantling these harmful narratives:

  • Educate: Learn the history behind these stereotypes and how they manifest in modern society.
  • Reflect: Recognize how these stereotypes impact your self-perception and treatment of others.
  • Detox: Cut out media, books, and people who reinforce these damaging stereotypes.
  • Incorporate: Surround yourself with books, movies, social media, and people who uplift and liberate Black identities.
  • Practice Compassion: This is a lifelong process. There will be challenges along the way, but the goal is to uplift yourself mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

Join the Conversation at Summit 21

This conversation is just the beginning! Join Dr. Raquel Martin and other powerful voices at the return of Summit 21 at Blavity Fest 2025 in Atlanta from May 31 to June 1. Tickets are on sale now to this can’t miss event!