We were lucky to catch up with Charlisa Goodlet recently and have shared our conversation below.

Charlisa , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

My journey into the world of blogging commenced during my undergraduate years, a transformative period marked by both self-discovery and a fervent desire to make my voice heard. I began on Blogspot, a digital canvas upon which I painted my thoughts and reflections on issues that resonated deeply within the Black community. I felt compelled to shed light on topics that were not only important but also unflinchingly truthful about the experiences of Black individuals in America.

With unwavering determination, I embarked on a mission: to delve into the complex racism and Anti-Blackness in the United States. The emotional toll of writing about and living through these experiences prompted me to change the type of content I created. As I navigated this reality, I realized the need for a shift in the type of content I produced.

Thus, the evolution of my blog took an intriguing turn. It metamorphosed from its initial incarnation into a self-named entity that emerged from this transformation, the moniker “Broke Black Bougie.” This catchy name materialized during one of my routine walks down the corridor en route to one of my student jobs. It was as if the very essence of my journey, the essence of being a young woman ascending the ladder of life, on the come up and experiences I was navigating through in my path.

“Broke Black Bougie” encapsulated my experiences—a testament to the trials and triumphs of a young Black woman forging her path in a world often fraught with challenges. It became a banner under which I could explore the realms of aspiration, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence while retaining the authenticity of my roots. My blog at first represented a mirror reflecting not just my journey but the collective journey of those who sought to rise above adversity.

Initially, the focus was on creating a website that explored society and culture. However, I found myself writing extensively about personal finance while feeling lost in my journey. This divergence from the collective mission of Broke Black Bougie didn’t align with the truthful identity it should have embodied. In returning to the original identity it has been a freeing space to speak to the experiences of Black women, women who make it on less than their worth Initially, the focus was on creating a website that explored society and culture. However, I found myself writing extensively about personal finance while feeling lost in my journey. This divergence from the collective mission of Broke Black Bougie didn’t align with the truthful identity it should have embodied. It’s dedicated to Black women existing in a world that doesn’t make room for us, yet we still find ways to reclaim our space. It’s focused on fostering candid conversations about our lived experiences, where we’ve been, and where we desire to go.

While one might assume that the initial word, “Broke” defines the experiences of Black and Bougie women, it’s actually quite the opposite – it serves as a focal point for elevation and growth. As a result of this, it has elevated the conversations we’ve held on the Broke Black Bougie podcast and the essays written on our site. It’s the voyage through the complexities of life as a young, determined, and unapologetically authentic individual. Together, “Broke Black Bougie,” we will navigate the diverse landscape of experiences, sharing stories that resonate, inspire, and empower—a celebration of our unique narratives as we strive for greatness.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

At Broke Black Bougie, we host a podcast where we keep it real, diving into the everyday experiences of Black women. We talk about what it’s like to be Black at work, the tough decisions our loved ones make, and the complex world of Black family and trauma. What makes us proudest is that we do it as sisters, embracing vulnerability, and sparking candid conversations that peel back the layers of our lives. I’m most proud of the vulnerability of working with my sister through this platform and creating content, uncovering sometimes vulnerable but needed conversations that hit home, spark motivation, and lift each other up.

What allowed us to embrace vulnerability and open up about our experiences, including our failures, was the recognition that these moments of vulnerability and even failure are not signs of weakness but rather opportunities for growth and resilience.

My sister Latoyra brings invaluable insights from her journey through education and her work in healthcare. As for myself, I draw from my experiences in policy work, as well as the journey of launching my own non-profit—an endeavor that, unfortunately, I had to walk away from due to the impact of trauma and learning an important lesson about being discerning when choosing business partners and co-founders.

But we’re not all talk; we’re about taking action too. At Broke Black Bougie, we also curate merchandise that celebrates the essence of Blackness. Our merchandise goes beyond just clothing; it’s a wearable celebration of our thoughts, words, and phrases that capture the many facets of the Black experience, especially for Black women. From thought-provoking slogans to empowering mantras, our merchandise is all about making a statement. We’re currently revamping the merch shop and updating our designs to better serve and reflect our community. Stay tuned to our website for some exciting updates!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There’s an incredible strength that comes from taking the challenging moments in your life journey and using them as building blocks for personal growth. Throughout my own path, I’ve been astounded by the immense power of finding inspiration even during the toughest seasons of my life. Sometimes, this meant taking extended breaks from the Broke Black Bougie brand to recharge and reflect, while at other times, it involved allowing those difficult moments to serve as a source of nourishment and motivation for my personal evolution.

What truly warms my heart are the direct messages I receive from our supporters. These heartfelt messages often share stories of experiences that are rarely spoken about openly. Through Broke Black Bougie, we’ve created a safe space where people can find solace and comfort in hearing about our experiences. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that we’re making a positive impact on their lives and providing a platform for these important conversations.

Another source of immense pride for me is seeing women confidently and beautifully don our merchandise. Witnessing them proudly embrace our brand encourages me to persevere with Broke Black Bougie, no matter how many times we may have to restart or face challenges on this journey. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience of our community, and it inspires me to keep pushing forward.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I’m a true creative at heart, and no matter where life takes me, my creative pursuits are always right there with me. Currently, I’m fully immersed in my Ph.D. journey at The New School, focusing on Public and Urban Policy. Even in this academic pursuit, I carry the essence of Broke Black Bougie and all my life experiences into my work. It’s fascinating to see how my creative perspective influences the way I approach policy, adding a unique and fresh dimension to my professional endeavors.

I’ll never lose sight of the fact that I’m a creative soul who craves a life deeply rooted in the freedom of artistic expression. Operating on a smaller platform, I occasionally sense that others may not fully grasp the grand vision I hold. Expressing the magnitude of creating something that transcends the individual can be challenging, yet it’s a pursuit I wholeheartedly believe in—a mission to make a meaningful and impactful mark on the world. I also look at being a better creative and showing up more effectively for myself entails being a better person to myself.

This, my friends, is the essence of the creative spirit—a relentless pursuit of the profound and transformative. And this is precisely what Broke Black Bougie embodies—a vision, a movement, and a catalyst for change that stretches far beyond the boundaries of any one individual.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brokeblackbougie.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/brokeblackbougie
• Facebook:facebook.com/brokeblackbougie
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pZf67ccTU88x62b0TXd5f?si=atZC4VUvRyyjWH_NHH9mlA

Image Credits
All images, except for image three, featuring the woman wearing the ‘Adulting is Ghetto’ sweatshirt, are the exclusive property of Broke Black Bougie. Broke Black Bougie is the sole creator of this content. The Adulting is Ghetto sweatshirt was posted by the supporter and IG user: @jay_I_boogie.