Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving

Amplifying Voices of Black and Brown Women in the Mental Health Profession

Tasha M. Wilson

• Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
• Year: 2025
• Print ISBN: 9781805921752, 9781805921738
• eBook ISBN: 9781805921721
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving: Amplifying Voices of Black and Brown Women in the Mental Health Profession examines the narratives of Black and Brown women all over the world who adherently take on the Superwoman Persona. The imaginative armor of a cape contributes to the normalcy of trying to "do it all" for others while neglecting the self. The book amplifies the voices of Black and Brown women in the mental health and academia professions who needed a healthy outlet to shed light on their experiences. 

This book stems from an asset-based approach where chapter authors highlight the ebbs and flows they experienced in the workplace due to having melanated skin and/or identifying as Black and Brown. So many Black and Brown women have suffered in silence because of exploitive workplace politics and practices and haven't felt safe, valued, or heard; the "need" of Black and Brown women became greater than their humanity. Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving is a call to action. It contributes to elevating scholarly conversations for employers who are seeking strategies in promoting equity in the workplace.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving
• Research, Theory, and Practice Within Academic Affairs
• OTHER TITLES IN THE SERIES
• Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving: Amplifying Voices of Black and Brown Women in the Mental Health Profession
• Copyright
• CONTENTS
• ABOUT THE EDITOR
• ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS
• INTRODUCTION
• 1 - A Loving Invitation to Black Women: (Re)Connecting to Ourselves Through the Embodiments of Healing Justice
• 2 - The Art of Showing Up for and By Women of Color
• 3 - Help, I Am Over This!
• 4 - “For Melanated Women: Lit but Burned Out”
• 5 - “But You Make It Look Easy”: Overworked, Underpaid, Thrice as Good, and Walking Away
• 6 - Strong Black Women Cry: Finding Academic Wholeness
• 7 - Coloring in the Blackout Days
• 8 - There’s Beauty in Vulnerability Within the Workplace
• 9 - Our Voices Matter: The Lived Experiences of Black Women Seeking Career Advancement
• 10 - When the Cape Gets Too Heavy: Strategies for Navigating Superhumanization at Home and Work
• 11 - VF Burnout
• 12 - “No Hay Mal Que Por Bien No Venga”: Learning Your Worth, Learning it Is Okay to Ask for Help, and the Importance of Finding Your Circle
• 13 - I Don’t Wear Capes That Clash With My Wardrobe!
• 14 - No Weapon Formed Against us Shall Prosper: An Accounting of Weaponized Self-Care and Using it as a Weapon
• 15 - Removing the Cape–Sometimes
• 16 - Victory Through Vulnerability
• 17 - Still a Superwoman on My Terms Exchanging the Superwoman Robe for More Comfortable and Relaxed Garments