OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. - s4story -- Brandi Rhoden, LCSW, a licensed trauma therapist and founder of Honeybee Wellness & Consulting, is a contributing author in the forthcoming Dear Black Woman Anthology, a national collection of first-person letters by Black women to their younger selves and to one another. The book releases September 20, 2025.

Rhoden's letter traces a shift from a childhood spent growing up too fast and fearing what came next to an adult life grounded in courage and discernment. She writes to her younger self about the cost of silence and the relief that comes when you choose truth over approval. Her guiding line—"You must at least forgive it… forgiving yourself is more important than anything else you can do"—sets a practical course for readers: name what happened, seek help, release shame, and extend the same compassion to yourself that you offer to others.

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With more than a decade in mental health, Rhoden blends professional training and lived experience. Through Honeybee Wellness & Consulting, she creates spaces where people feel safe, seen, and equipped with tools for regulation, boundaries, and restorative relationships—work that mirrors the anthology's focus on usable healing practices.

The anthology invites book clubs, faith communities, counseling programs, schools, and caregivers to use story as a springboard for reflection and dialogue.

Availability & Local Events
Dear Black Woman publishes on September 20, 2025. Memphis-area readings and discussions featuring Rhoden will follow publication.

Media Contact (Book/Events)
Dear Black Woman Media — info@dearblackwoman.me | 469-447-4825

About Dear Black Woman Media
Dear Black Woman Media publishes books and courses, hosts community programs, and amplifies the voices of Black women through print, digital, and events.