SERIES: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF US, The Foundation — Where Does Self-Esteem Begin?

Self-esteem doesn’t start in adulthood. It begins early… shaped by what we were told, what we experienced, and what we were expected to become.

In this opening episode of The Psychology of Us, we start at the foundation.

We explore how self-esteem is formed in Black women through early messages, childhood environments, and the subtle (and not so subtle) ways identity is shaped over time.

This conversation unpacks:

• The lack of consistent affirmation many young Black girls experience
• The early adultification of Black girls and the pressure to “be grown” too soon
• The impact of being labeled, corrected, and conditioned before fully developing identity
• The question we don’t always ask: Who told you who you were?
• And the difference between survival and identity

This is not about blame. It’s about awareness. Because you cannot rebuild what you don’t first recognize.

If you’ve ever questioned why you think the way you do about yourself…this is where the conversation begins.