On September 15, Liku Madoshi announced the launch of the Tryb initiative for Black women. Tryb prides itself on being an alliance of Black women who aspire to elevate one another and build a community dedicated to celebrating each other.
To get a firsthand understanding of the Tryb experience, I attended a Tryb event. Sitting in a room amongst lawyers, physicians, marketing strategies, therapists, beauticians and bakers provided me with a nuanced understanding of what it means to be a Black woman. All of us represented something different. We looked different, had different interests, came from different backgrounds and had unique career goals and personal interests. Yet we could all come together, share space and find comfort in the fact that we could love and support each other’s differences — because those differences are the very qualities that make us so beautiful. All Black women deserve to feel that type of loving acceptance.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Madoshi is an attorney and is driven by a deep passion and love for serving her community. She graduated from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2017. Previously, Madoshi has published in the Harvard Journal of African American Politics and currently practices law pertaining to insurance defense and residential property disputes.
We got the chance to speak with her about what it takes to start an initiative for Black women. Here's what she advised:
1. Develop A Strong Purpose
One of the most powerful aspects of building a network of Black women in your community is developing a strong purpose. Madoshi spoke to the importance of hosting events to create safe and intimate spaces where Black women are free to be their true, authentic selves.
“I don’t just mean brunches — I have events scheduled where we can be in an intimate space, and talk about things only we know to talk about," she said. "Like a poetry slam, because I want the public to realize we’re very unique. We can bring people together to speak to the plights of Black women.”
2. Understand The Importance Of Financial Discipline
Financing events for large groups of Black women professionals can seem daunting, but Madoshi shows us that with a clear sense of purpose and the help of sponsorships, it’s achievable.
“My next step in planning is to talk to people who have companies, and see how they went about getting sponsorships and donations," Madoshi said. "So next time I have a large-scale event, I do want to have community members sponsor it, because I want people to buy into the idea of the importance of Black women to have their own space.”
3. Value Sincerity Over Everything
Madoshi highlighted the importance of approaching event planning with a genuine attitude. Sincerity is everything when it comes to creating a safe space for Black women.
“It has to be passionate. It has to be real," she explained. "That’s what continues to drive you. It has to come from the heart. When something is genuine everything falls into place. I think that’s real about anything in life.”
4. Maintain A 'Tryb' Mentality
To have a "tryb" mindset means to be driven by the desire to make an impact through the development of your own network. Those you meet in your tryb should be thought of as akin to family, because within the family unit, there's an inherent sense of belonging and reciprocity. “I” statements quickly become “we” statements as we learn to connect through the celebration our unique experiences.
While struggling to feel understood while in law school, Madoshi came up with the idea to start a tryb of her own. Because she sought other women who could relate to her experiences, her tryb manifested as a network of Black women professionals.
“I need a tribe of Black women because I’m not the only one who goes through this. And on top of it being something I needed, [I thought], 'What can I do for them, and what benefit of coming together can we get from that? Like, I'm a lawyer, ok? Let me help you with a contract — what do you do? Oh, you’re a writer? I know someone who has a website that needs some content.' You know, making connections.”
5. Remember, Mimosas Don’t Hurt…
Networking and building connections can involve pushing people beyond the limits of their comfort zones. The purpose of an initiative like Tryb is to meet women you may otherwise not speak to. Building a strong sisterhood with women who have different passions and career interests can help you build and improve upon your own goals.
Awkward silences? A nervous atmosphere? Nothing a few pitchers of mimosas can’t fix!
A brunch can be the perfect way to open up to meeting other bright and dynamic Black women. A plate of shrimp and grits is really all you need to feel like your most true and authentic self.
Community is one of our greatest assets as Black people, and as Black women especially. The Tryb initiative helped me to realize that we really need each other more than we think. Each of us has something the other needs. With community organizations like Tryb, we win every time.
