Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 1
CHAPTER PAGE
1. Mirror Mantras 10
I Am Black and I Am Proud! 11
I Am Thankful 12
I Will Be… 12
I Am Beautiful 13
I Deserve ... 13
I Will Not Put Off… 15
I Am Fearless 15
I Am Confident… 15
I Am A Leader 15
I Will Water the Seed ... 15
2. Black and Be-You-Tiful! 18
Stay Hydrated 1
Get the Appropriate Amount of Sleep 2
You Are Not Your Hair 20
Yes, Black Can Crack! 22
Watch Your Mouth 23
Thoughts Become Things 25
You Are One of a Kind 28
Know Who You Are 28
Keep Your Head in the Books 30
Do What You Love 31
3. You Are The Power 33
Check Yourself 34
Be Positive 35
Always Listen to Your Heart 36
Think Twice 39
Continue to Educate and Elevate 40
Know Our History 41
Talk About it and Be About it 42
Heal Your Mental Ills 42
Fight to Stay Alive 43
Seek Wise Counsel 53
4. Back Pocket Wisdom 55
Look Both Ways… 56
Wash Your Hands 57
Be Confident 57
Keep Your Taxes… 58
Fight For Gender Equality 59
Challenge Yourself 60
Remember, What Comes Around… 61
Always Listen To Your Gut 61
Realize the Importance of Honesty 62
Love and Respect Yourself and Others 62
5. The Not So Private Part 67
Get to Know Your Vulva First… 68
Your Vagina and Vulva Need Your Help 71
There is a Short List 73
Periods End Sentences, Not Lives… 74
You’re Feeling Different 76
The Vulva and Vagina Owner’s Manual 78
When to See a Doctor? 83
No Means No! #
You Were Here First #
6. Jar of Truth 95
You Are an Original 96
You Are the Daughter of Mama Earth… 97
Melanin Absorbs Sun… 97
I Am Here To Uplift You… 97
Black Girls Rock… 97 We Are Blood Sisters 97
Black is Beautiful and does not need to be… 97
There is an African Proverb That Says… 97
Black Girls Have Chocolate, Vanilla… 97
Never Let The Odds… 98
7. Conversations with Your Future Self 99
Heart Break is Inevitable 100
Be the Best You, For Us 100
Waiting Exposes Clarity… 102
Go The Extra Mile 103
Don’t Waste Your Time 104
Take Care of Yourself 105
See This Beautiful World 106
Know Where You Come From 107
Let Love Lead 108
You Are Going To Be Okay If You 109
8. What She Said 111
Oprah Winfrey 112
First Lady Michelle Obama 113
Amandla Stenberg 113
Dr. Angela Davis 114
Shonda Rhimes 114
Solange Knowles 115
Nina Simone 115
Alicia Keys 115
Lupita Nyong’o 116
9.Our World! Your Choice! Your Voice! 188
Believe.Become. #
Your Body #
Vote #
Your Spirit #
Be Certain of the Company You Keep #
Your Sexuality #
Inspire/Mentor #
Give Back #
10. Black Girl Pledge 188
Acknowledgements 132
Resource Center 135
About the Author 171