Empowering women to live ‘softer, healthier and more connected lives’
Mariama Koroma is seeking to challenge ‘a bit of a taboo’ among the Afro-Caribbean community, writes Tom Foot
Friday, 2nd October — By Tom Foot
Mariama Koroma, founder of Softly Black Girl (SBG)
A NEW sisterhood is forming aimed at countering societal pressures on Black women to be perceived as strong, have a guard-up or act as the “together one”.
Mariama Koroma, founder of Softly Black Girl (SBG), has launched a series of weekly “intimate sessions” at the Maiden Lane Community Centre, Agar Grove.
The aim is to provide a safe space for “honest conversations” about embracing softness, rest, joy and emotional vulnerability.
Ms Koroma, who grew up in Somers Town and has lived in Camden all her life, said: “As a young Black woman navigating London, I found myself constantly pouring into others while silently carrying my own heaviness.
“I learned to be resilient, to be strong, to ‘push through’ – but rarely to rest, to breathe, or to be soft. Over time, I’ve realised that so many young Black women around me were fighting the same battle.
“Softness, or being soft, can mean multiple things to different people. But I think it is about being gentle, while also not being afraid to put your boundaries up.
“For me, it is about being resilient and having the strength to not be afraid to speak up.
Mariama Koroma: ‘I know so many people of my generation who had to grow up without being able to talk about how they are feeling’
“It can also be about being dainty and adorable.
“When you talk about this kind of thing in the Afro Caribbean community, it’s almost like it’s a bit of taboo.
“I know so many people of my generation who had to grow up without being able to talk about how they are feeling. They weren’t able to speak on this sort of thing, emotions and anxieties that are not expressed.
“Many have grown up without dads. In poverty. Domestic violence. And there is a whole issue about Black maternal health.
“I just think that now, in this day and age, and with all the statistics and information that we have out there, none of this needs to be the case anymore.
“We know the issues. We have the numbers. The responsible thing is to talk about all this openly.
“People have so much to offer and I want to empower them to live softer, healthier, more connected lives – through education, storytelling, community support, and accessible wellbeing tools.”
Ms Koroma, 36, went to Maria Fidelis School and from there has worked in the NHS in communications and administrative roles.
She said she hoped the sessions would provide a regular safe space run with “a circle atmosphere”, adding: “I’m more curious rather than nervous.
“We’re going to have a few topics. But it will be interesting to see what people want to talk about – their thoughts, opinions and fears. And if they want to go deeper.
“There will be a bit of a background music so it’s not completely awkward. People can come and talk about whatever they like and we will grow a team of people who have much to offer.”
