Breaking Cultural Stigmas: ADHD in the Black Community

This week, I’m joined by the inspiring Abigail Agyei-Jones, MBE, a neurodiversity advocate, policy advisor, and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Abigail has over a decade of experience working with marginalized and underrepresented groups, including in top government roles.

Named one of the Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women of 2022, Abigail’s work focuses on intersectionality, amplifying the voices of Black women, and breaking down barriers in education, healthcare, and workplaces. As someone with ADHD and dyspraxia, she draws from her personal journey to push for systemic change and more inclusive spaces.

In this episode, we explore the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent women, especially within the Black community, and how societal expectations, cultural stigmas, and systemic barriers lead to late diagnoses and misdiagnoses.

Abigail shares her personal story of navigating a late ADHD diagnosis, overcoming internalized ableism, and becoming an advocate for representation and equity.

In this episode we talk about:

• Abigail sheds light on the specific struggles women with ADHD face in education and workplace settings.
• She opens up about her late diagnosis and the internalized ableism she had to unlearn.
• Learn why creating neuro-inclusive environments that embrace diverse learning and working styles is essential for success.
• Discover how cultural stigmas and societal expectations disproportionately impact Black women with ADHD.
• Advocacy for neurodiversity within marginalized communities is vital to reducing stigma and fostering awareness.
• Abigail emphasizes the power of community support groups and resources for navigating ADHD and intersectional identities.

Chapters:

04:31 - Navigating neurodiversity in education

14:22 - The impact of adultification on black youth

22:10 - Healthcare disparities and advocacy for change

28:34 - Cultural expectations and mental health in black communities

35:20 - Embracing neurodivergence with self-compassion

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in building inclusive communities and breaking down societal taboos about neurodiversity. Abigail’s insights offer hope, practical advice, and a call to action for fostering a world where everyone can thrive.

You can connect with Abigail via her Instagram. Watch her TedX talk on ADHD in Black Women.

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Kate Moryoussef is a women’s ADHD Lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity, and clarity. 

Follow the podcast on Instagram here.

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Find Kate's resources on ADDitude magazine here.

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