How Felicia Pride Empowers Black Women Over 40 Through Storytelling With ‘Honey Chile’

Felicia Pride has always believed in the power of storytelling that resonates with the untold experiences of Black women. With the launch of Honey Chile, a brand targeting women over 40 years old, she is creating a space where Black women can see themselves reflected in stories across various media platforms. 

Honey Chile is a labor of love that, since its inception four years ago, has focused on creating empowering content specifically for women over 40. It has filled a much-needed gap in Hollywood by celebrating the stories and experiences of this often-overlooked demographic, reminding them that they, too, are the stars of their own narratives.

Pride decided to concentrate her work on Black women aged 40 and over because there was a glaring lack of representation in popular media.

“I saw a gap in the marketplace in Hollywood,” Pride said. “The conversations I was having with my friends weren’t being reflected in the stories we saw on TV and in film. I wanted to prioritize Black women, 40 and over, both as an audience and as storytellers.”

Honey Chile isn’t just about representation – it’s about making sure these women are telling their own stories.

At the center of Honey Chile is the way that Pride refers to the community of honeys. For Pride, to be a honey is not about the audience, per se. To her, it is a way of being.

“We tell stories by, for, or about honeys,” she said. “‘For honeys’ means telling stories that we know will resonate with our audience, who have wide-ranging interests. Honeys refers to stories that center Black women, specifically those over 40, in the lead.”

This spotlight on Black women over 40 is about a little more than just telling their stories; it’s also about empowering a demographic that has been largely overlooked in media.

“The scope, the influence, and the financial prowess of honeys are also why we’re prioritizing them from a marketing perspective,” Pride said.

The impact of Black women over 40 extends far beyond their immediate communities—they are culture shifters, continuously shaping and influencing trends, narratives, and movements. Pride is determined to spotlight their contributions, showcasing how they remain vital and deeply engaged in driving cultural conversations and innovation.

But the road to the birth of Honey Chile was hardly smooth. Pride said she recognized the vulnerability that comes along with creating content for an audience that small and specific.

“It took some self-work to get to the point where I could unapologetically embrace who I want to write for,” she said. “As artists and creatives, we have to get close to the truth of what we want to express and be honest about who we are creating for. Once I did that, it became easier to move forward with confidence.”

Pride’s career has been a journey prepared by her diverse roots in music journalism and books.

“My roots in both music journalism and books have always cemented for me the power of the word and narrative,” she said, describing how the past influences her storytelling ability.

Today, the Honey Chile brand extends across podcasts, books, and film. The brand’s newest podcast, “It’s Good Over Here,” explores the adventures of Black women after age 40, embracing the joys and challenges at this life stage. The first episode features Angel Laquita Moore, a viral rapper who found fame after 40.

“Her story is raw and inspiring,” Pride said. “It’s about becoming who you are, even later in life, and embracing the opportunities that come with that.”

Honey Chile’s first podcast, Chile Please, already received accolades including two NAACP Image Award nominations.

“We are so invested in audio because of its accessibility, both for audiences and creators,” Pride said. “It’s a great way to connect on a personal level.”

In addition to audio, Pride is a seasoned film professional. Pride wrote and directed her first film, Look Back At It, which was shot as a proof of concept in Baltimore. The film centers on themes of family and personal evolution, about which Pride is eager to continue building.

“It’s been a family affair,” she said. “We are ready to take it to the next level.”

Pride is also adapting the bestseller Seven Days in June by Tia Williams for Amazon, further proving Honey Chile’s reach extends into literature and feature films.

While Hollywood will continue to be a huge part of Honey Chile’s mission, Pride is intent on developing a holistic brand that covers other bases as well.

“Honey Chile’s mission is bigger than Hollywood,” she said. “We do work through our newsletter, social media, events, and even a book arm that we are launching. We’re about creating a space where Black women can truly get free.”

As part of this mission, Pride has just re-released her book, The Creative Comeback Workbook, that chronicles her journey in rediscovering her creative voice.

“It’s about the steps I took to regain my mojo and become a thriving, successful writer,” she said. “The next book is a romance novella under Honey Chile.”

Looking ahead, Pride is especially excited about the Honey Fund, an innovative way of fundraising for Honey Chile’s projects. In collaboration with Women of Color Unite, the fund allows supporters to make tax-exempt donations that go toward funding creative projects which elevate women of color in media.

With a clear vision for Honey Chile’s future and commitment to empowering Black women over 40, Felicia Pride doesn’t only tell stories; she changes the narrative for generations ahead.