Black HerStory

I love Black History Month. The whole month I have an extra pep in my step, a little more swag in my style, and joy in my heart.

One thing I like to focus on during the month is empowering and uplifting other women of color. I find the conversations I have motivate me to keep on going, even when I want to give up. Black History Month is only 28 days (shady, but whatevs) and when it ends I ask myself, how can I keep this energy going? Here are six unique and enlightening stories from women of color who are killing it in their respective fields. I hope you’ll use their stories as motivation to keep up that #BlackExcellence all year long.

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae

Before you knew her as Issa on Insecure, I (and any loyal Issa Stan) knew her as the awkardest black girl living in LA. Her debut book shares a title with her YouTube web series of the same name.  Issa didn’t just pop up and start slaying our screens out of nowhere, her book is a manifesto on how to finesse #TheGlowUp. Released shortly before Insecure hit the screen and showed us the challenges that come with navigating life in your twenties, Issa was sharing her own personal trials and tribulations in growing up and getting it together. She gives me hope that growing up isn’t that hard as it seems, and success is possible with hard work, passion, and dedication.

You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson

If I could have a celebrity as an older sister, Phoebe Robinson is definitely my top choice. From the title of her book to her strange millenial quirks, Phoebe is my soul sister separated at birth. What I appreciate most about her memoir is its relatability.I don’t come from a stereotypical background and it was refreshing to feel understood. It’s hard to explain what it means to be the only black girl in class. Very few can empathize with the frustration of explaining who NeNe Leakes is to white coworkers.

Phoebe is also one half of the incredible podcast 2 Dope Queens which she co-hosts along with Jessica Williams. Don’t have time to read but looking for a good TV binge? You can watch the 2 Dope Queens during their four-episode special of the same name on HBO. They both give me the confidence to be okay with who I am and say whatever to the haters who might feel differently.

I’m Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi

Also known as “The Do Better Manual”, Luvvie tackles everything from pop culture to race, and just general life shenanigans. Her essays make it clear that while it’s so easy to be an unproblematic good citizen, we fail often. Every page is filled with side eyes, “oh nooo’s”, and also “oh yeah, that’s me” moments. Common sense is not always common knowledge and this book is chock full of examples. You can also catch more essays in her new hardcover edition. Simply put, she makes me want to do better and be better.

We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union

When talking about black women who have been “holdin it down” Gabrielle Union is at the top of the list. Even though it looks like she hasn’t aged a day since the debut of Bring It On nearly two decades ago, Gabrielle has years’ worth of experience in life, love, and navigating a career and life worth envying. Her candidness and honesty in an era when more celebrities try and disillusion us with perfection is refreshing and another example of her keeping it real. She is the epitome of what it looks like to have a life well lived.

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Calling all Boss Babes. At what point do you know you’ve made it? Is it when you’re so good at your craft you produce not one, not two, but three (soon to be four) TV shows on network television? Maybe it’s when it’s when you receive an honorary doctorate degree from your Ivy League alma mater. I could go on, but what’s the point?  Shonda is #Goals and in her book, she breaks down just what it means to achieve the life you’ve always wanted. Her book was an inspiration for me in not only starting this blog, but in life. I’ve always been afraid of failure but this book made me embrace saying yes to life and no to making excuses. She makes it clear that life will always be challenging taking risks is almost always worth the reward.

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

When making a list of “Women of Color Who Had A Great 2017” it’s tough to decide whether Cardi B. or Tiffany Haddish takes the cake. What makes her rise to fame even more admirable is the journey it took her to get there. Kevin Hart gave us Laugh at My Pain and Tiffany Haddish has given us this book. What should’ve been a raw account of growing up as a foster child in South Central LA, ended up being a quick read filled with endless laughter. Her story is an inspiration to even the most broken of people. But what shines through is her endearing spirit. That’s what makes her a force to be reckoned with.

What good reads keep you motivated throughout the year? Let me know in the comments below!