She is also the founder of mindfulness school The Compass and co-founder of sleep app DreamWell.

And though many might not be aware of it,George Floyds girlfriend is white.

In 2018, 17 percent of 1,500 participantsin a YouGov pollsaid interracial marriage is morally wrong.

alt

Its often-overlooked complexities like that which led Njaka and Battle to launch their podcast in the first place.

Relationships are already hard.

But when you introduce racial power structures, they get even harder.

Two people’s legs touch under a table as they work on their laptops.

certified sex and dating coach

But that doesnt mean her racial background has had no bearing on how she feels about her dating experiences.

Shes now realizing that race was actually a wedge within many of those relationships.

During her longest relationship, which spanned seven years, Njaka went engagement-ring shopping with her partner four times.

Books on grief are seen floating against a backdrop of clouds.

It wasnt clear at firstthere was just this looming confusion of like, Well is it me?

What did I do?

Am I not a good partner?

alt

Do you not love me enough?

And its something that not a lot of us have comfort addressing, says Battle.

It causes tension, but I think that tension is good.

Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus, symbolizing toxic friendships.

certified sex and dating coach

I think that tension is progress.

Im also feeling a lot more empowered to advocate for my Blackness.

The oblivion of other people can be really harmful, says Njaka.

alt

What can come off as rude but benign behavior, for example, could in fact be a microaggression.

As far as what healing looks like, ongoing conversations can help.

White and white-passing partners will become better equipped to support their partners.

Courtesy Berkley Publishing

And that continuing to play out is progress.

Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.