Unpacking Parentification: The Emotional Toll on Black Youth in Child Welfare

In this episode of InnerViews, host Ivory Bennett sits down with Montina Myers-Galloway, a licensed clinical mental health counselor, TEDx speaker, and advocate for Black women healing from parentification. Together, they explore the impact of adultification and emotional burdens placed on Black youth in foster care and juvenile justice. Montina shares how professionals can create trauma-informed spaces, support mental well-being, and empower youth to reclaim their narratives. This conversation is a must-listen for those committed to breaking cycles and fostering emotional healing in child welfare.

Guest Bio: 

“Montina Myers-Galloway is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, speaker, workshop facilitator, and consultant for women who have carried the weight of parentification throughout their lives. Her notable TEDx talk, “Why Black Women Should Stop Being Responsible,” has challenged the silence around parentification and mental health within the community, opening up essential conversations. She has been featured on Fox46 Charlotte, appeared on various podcasts, and partnered with organizations to provide attendees with relatable yet transformative experiences. As the owner of Myers-Galloway Counseling, she specializes in educating and empowering women to take charge of their mental health and well-being.”