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Sober Stories


Jun 24, 2023

[Title]: The Sober Black Girls Club: Embracing Sobriety, Authenticity, and Joy with Khadi A. Oluwatoyin

Khadi Oluwatoyin, a Nigerian-American, was born and raised in the heart of New York but is currently living in Tulsa Oklahoma, home of Black Wall Street and first settled by the Lochapoka Band of Creek Native American tribe. Khadi is an attorney, mental health and sobriety advocate, consultant, community builder, and social entrepreneur. Her work over the last few years has focused on increasing the wellness of Black girls, women, femmes, non-conforming folks, and queer folks of color.

Khadi created Sober Black Girls Club in 2018 when she decided to get sober and noticed that many pro-sober platforms did not cater to girls and women who looked like her or shared similar cultural and societal experiences. At the time, SBGC was just a blog. Today, it is a coast-to-coast, 501(c)(3) collective that, in addition to the blog, runs a newsletter, mentorship program, four weekly support meetings, and more. Khadi and Sober Black Girls Club have been featured in several publications including the Red Table Talk, The Washington Post, The Huff Post, Teen Vogue, Mademoiselle, and Shondaland.

 

[Episode Summary]: 

In this episode, Beth Bowen interviews Khadi A. Oluwatoyin, the founder of the Sober Black Girls Club (SBGC), an empowering online community and support network for Black women navigating sobriety. Khadi shares her personal journey with addiction, shedding light on the cultural pressures of perfectionism ingrained in her Nigerian upbringing that masked her struggles. She explores the transformative power of vulnerability, authenticity, and self-acceptance in her path towards sobriety. Khadi also discusses the importance of creating spaces that prioritize joy, pleasure, and community, challenging the traditional narratives around recovery. Her work with SBGC aims to break free from societal norms and create a safe and inclusive space for Black women to embrace sobriety on their terms.

 

[Episode Highlights]:

  • Khadi's personal journey with addiction and the cultural pressures of perfectionism in her Nigerian upbringing.

  • The transformative power of vulnerability, authenticity, and self-acceptance in Khadi's path towards sobriety.

  • The mission and vision of the Sober Black Girls Club (SBGC) and its role in empowering Black women in their sobriety journeys.

  • Challenging traditional narratives around recovery by prioritizing joy, pleasure, and community within the SBGC.

  • The importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for Black women to navigate sobriety and embrace their authentic selves.

  • Khadi's current work on the SBGC, including the development of a Tulsa-based sober bar and her focus on building community beyond the confines of traditional recovery spaces.

 

[Timestamps]:

  • [00:00] Introduction to the episode and guest, Khadi A. Oluwatoyin.

  • [02:30] Khadi shares her personal journey with addiction and the cultural pressures she faced in her Nigerian upbringing.

  • [09:15] The transformative power of vulnerability, authenticity, and self-acceptance in Khadi's path towards sobriety.

  • [14:50] The mission and vision of the Sober Black Girls Club (SBGC) and its role in empowering Black women in their sobriety journeys.

  • [19:30] Challenging traditional narratives around recovery by prioritizing joy, pleasure, and community within the SBGC.

  • [24:10] Creating safe and inclusive spaces for Black women to navigate sobriety and embrace their authentic selves.

  • [29:40] Khadi's current work on the SBGC, including the development of a Tulsa-based sober bar and her focus on building community beyond traditional recovery spaces.

  • [33:15] Wrap-up and final thoughts.

 

[Bio - Sober Black Girls Club]: 

The Sober Black Girls Club (SBGC) is an empowering online community and support network created by Khadi A. Oluwatoyin. Dedicated to uplifting Black women on their sobriety journeys, SBGC challenges societal norms and traditional narratives around recovery. Through its inclusive and joyful approach, SBGC provides a safe space for Black women to embrace sobriety on their own terms, free from judgment. The community fosters connection, support, and celebration, emphasizing self-love, self-acceptance, and authentic living. SBGC is on a mission to redefine the narrative of sobriety and create a lasting impact by empowering Black women to live their best lives.

 

[Guest Bio - Khadi A. Oluwatoyin]: 

Khadi A. Oluwatoyin is the founder of the Sober Black Girls Club (SBGC) and a passionate advocate for sobriety, authenticity, and joy. Drawing from her personal experience with addiction and her Nigerian heritage, Khadi is dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding sobriety in the Black community and creating inclusive spaces for Black women to thrive. With her unique perspective and commitment to empowering others, Khadi is on a mission to redefine the narrative of sobriety and inspire individuals to live their best lives. 

Connect with Khadi on Twitter and Instagram at @soberblackgirlsclub.

 

Connect with Khadi Oluwatoyin: 



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Keywords: Sobriety, Addiction, Alcohol-Free, Sober, Recovery, Representation, Sober Black Girls Club, Khadi A. Oluwatoyin, Beth Bowen Podcast, Substance Addiction, Sobriety Journey.



Sober Stories is a transformative brand that aims to inspire and empower individuals on their journey to sobriety and beyond. Through their podcast and community, Sober Stories provides a space where people inspire others by sharing their personal narratives of overcoming addiction and embracing a sober lifestyle. By amplifying diverse voices and experiences, Sober Stories cultivates a supportive community that celebrates living alcohol-free as a source of strength and resilience. Their platform showcases powerful stories of recovery, offering hope, encouragement, and relatability to those who may be facing their own struggles with addiction. Sober Stories embraces the power of storytelling as a catalyst for change and healing, fostering a sense of connection and solidarity among individuals seeking a sober life. With a mission to challenge societal stigmas surrounding addiction and promote positive narratives around and alcohol-free life, Sober Stories is a beacon of inspiration and support for all those who are reclaiming their lives and rewriting their own stories of triumph.

 

Beth Bowen, LMSW, is a dedicated and compassionate licensed social worker and sober coach with a strong focus on supporting individuals in their journey to sobriety and overall mental well-being. With a Master of Social Work degree and specialized training in addiction counseling, Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice. Her work revolves around trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and substance misuse recovery. Beth is deeply committed to empowering individuals struggling with addiction, providing them with the necessary tools and strategies to overcome challenges and achieve lasting sobriety. She combines evidence-based therapeutic approaches with her own personal experience in recovery, offering a unique perspective and genuine empathy. Beth's expertise in the field of addiction and her dedication to ongoing professional development make her a valuable resource for those seeking support in their sobriety journey. Through her coaching services, she creates a safe and supportive environment, helping clients navigate the complexities of addiction, heal from past traumas, and build a foundation for a fulfilling and alcohol-free life.





Note: The timestamps provided are approximate and may vary slightly in the final recording.