Why the strongest women wear invisible masks | Samantha Lubanzu | TEDxTrafford

In Superwoman Unmasked, Samantha Lubanzu uses the powerful metaphor of a mask to explore what it costs Black women to survive, succeed, and lead in systems not built for them.

When we unmask, we don’t just survive we rise, boldly, freely, and unapologetically.

Through vivid storytelling, she traces her journey from a childhood shaped by poverty, racism, and exclusion, to navigating corporate spaces where she faced microaggressions, bias, and the pressure to perform strength at all costs. Labeled a “Superwoman,” Samantha reveals how this identity became both armour and prison hiding exhaustion, neurodiversity, faith, and vulnerability in order to belong.

She contrasts moments of harm with the transformative power of allyship, highlighting how one leader’s belief changed the trajectory of her career. Grounded in her Caribbean heritage, faith, and motherhood, she reframes success as legacy work not just rising herself, but making it safer for the next generation to show up whole.

The talk culminates in a call to action: true power is not perfection, but authenticity. By unmasking, we free ourselves, challenge harmful stereotypes, and create cultures where others no longer need to hide.

Samantha Lubanzu is a multi-award-winning, best-selling author, career coach specialising in diversity and inclusion, and former Chair of CIPD Manchester. A mother of seven with Caribbean roots, she draws on her lived experience navigating race, faith, neurodiversity, and systemic barriers to empower women of colour to rise confidently into leadership roles. Samantha is dedicated to creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive and lead authentically. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx