It was decades before I discovered that what other people saw as shyness had a name: introversion.
Decades of being made to feel strange because I didn't want to be always "on" but preferred a quieter approach.
Decades of being thought antisocial when I was simply differently social.
Decades of being underestimated simply because I was less loud than my colleagues (until I shared my thoughts).
And decades of gurus suggesting that my introversion was something that needed to be cured by becoming more extroverted.
No thanks.
My introversion is a fact and facet of my being. It's neither a superpower nor a deficit. It's who I am, and perhaps it's who you are too. I work with my brain and being rather than against it.
I've learned to manage my mindset, protect my energy and still show up and share my thoughts and voice (my expertise in content* helps with this).
Now I'm looking to support introverted Black women** to do the same.
Learn more about the available options.
** I work with others too but Black women introverts are a direct match for my experience.
Sharon Hurley Hall is an anti-racism educator, author of I’m Tired of Racism, and founder of the SHHARE anti-racism community and of Sharon’s Anti-Racism Newsletter, which provides tools and lived experiences to fuel systemic change. A seasoned professional writer and journalist, she leverages over 30 years of experience to mentor introverted leaders, and is co-founder and co-host of the Introvert Sisters Podcast. Her recent work focuses on helping Black and Global Majority women achieve high-impact visibility and professional influence without the exhaustion of performing extroversion.
© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2026. All Rights Reserved. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).