EP51: Why Black Women Need Joy, Not Just Representation | Tobi Oredein

In 2014, long before conversations around representation became mainstream, Tobi Oredein saw a gap in British media and decided to build what didn't exist. As the founder of Black Ballad, she's spent the last decade creating a platform dedicated to telling the stories of Black women in Britain with the nuance, honesty and care they deserve. What began as a digital publication has since grown into a thriving membership community and the Black Ballad Weekender, a space centred around helping Black women become whole, healthy and happy. Connect with us on socials: Instagram   / theblackcircle.podcast   Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/discover/the-b... Connect with Tobi on socials:   / iamtobioredein     / blackballaduk   00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:46 Breaking Into Journalism 03:58 Why Black Ballad Started 05:47 Toxic Internship Lessons 08:53 Isolation and Finding Allies 11:22 Membership and Crowdfunding Pivot 14:14 Paywall Fears and Advice 16:57 Journalist vs Entrepreneur Reality 20:30 Beauty Industry and Unlearning 25:33 TEDx Talk and Owning Your Story 28:59 Taboos in Beauty and Desire 30:10 Colorism And Beauty Standards 31:06 Privilege And Listening 32:02 Motherhood Fuels Ambition 34:32 Postpartum Business Advice 36:15 Leadership Lessons As Employer 43:48 Black Ballad Origins And Name 44:46 Weekender Vibe And Lineup 46:56 Joy Over Trauma Rehashing 48:19 Memorable Weekender Moments 51:20 Legacy And Closing Reflections #TheBlackCirclePodcast #TobiOredein #BlackBallad #BlackBritishCulture #BlackWomen #BlackMedia #Entrepreneurship #BlackJoy