Ciara says her friendship with Serena Williams is one where they can be their "authentic selves" as Black women

• As a part of Insider's first digital cover story with Serena Williams, Ciara opened up about her friendship with Williams.
• Ciara said that as Black women they can leave their professional titles behind and show up as their 'authentic selves.'

Insider's first digital cover story features Serena Williams discussing motherhood, her capital ventures, and the movie "King Richard," based on the life of her father, Richard Williams. In the story, Williams speaks about the weight of expectation that she has felt her entire life. "The expectation that everyone puts on Black and phenomenal women, on us, is a lot to bear," she said.

The profile also featured quotes from those within Williams's inner circle, including singer Ciara, who spoke about how she has found a safe space in her friendship with Williams.

Ciara said that the bond between the two women has stretched over many years, and they frequently lean on one another for support.

"I think the key to our friendship is the fact that when we get together it's not about what we do in our professional lives — it's about being free to experience our authentic selves with each other," the R&B singer wrote in an email to Insider. "The world gets to see her passion for tennis when she's on the court, but behind the scenes she carries that same passion and enthusiasm."

Wilson has routinely shown up to Williams's tennis matches around the world to offer her support. Wilson also attended Williams' wedding in 2017.

Their sisterhood has even been documented on Twitter.

When Ciara tweeted a video of her playing tennis with her husband, football player Russell Wilson, in 2017, Serena commented "love this! I'm coming by to give y'all lessons."

The two also share in their philanthropic advocacy for Black women's health.

Serena Williams' spoke about mending Black maternity health disparities after complications with blood clots while giving birth to her daughter Alexis Ohanian Jr. Black women are three times as likely to die due to pregnancy-related causes than white women. according to the CDC.

Ciara has championed the need for self-care for Black women. She has joined the Black Women's Health Imperative and Project Health Equality campaign, Cerving Confidence, to increase the number of Black women getting their annual Papanicolaou test otherwise known as PAP Smear test which screens for cervical cancer. Black women are twice as likely to die of cervical cancer than white women, according to Hologic.

"Your health comes first sis, yes!" she said in a PSA.

Click here to read the full cover story with Serena Williams.