Wonder. Ask. About Big Things. About Little Things.
What You’re Up Against
8 (More) Badass Trailblazers in Entertainment (1970–1989)
Do Away with Fear
10 Tips for Overcoming Fear
What You’re Up Against
Think About It!
9 (More) Badass Trailblazers in Politics and Law(1980–2009)
What You Could Do Next
Project Yourself in the Future
What You’re Up Against
6 (More) Badass Trailblazers in Entertainment (1990–2009)
Keep an Open Mind
Create Your Own Experience
Think About It
What You’re Up Against
30 Days of Purpose
5 Badass Trailblazers in Literature
Go Be Brilliant!
What You’re Up Against
7 Badass Trailblazers in Education
Embrace Your Imperfection
What You’re Up Against
7 Badass Trailblazers in the Military and Government Services
Use Your Mistakes to Grow and Flourish
Narcissist Much?
Think About It: Where Are You Now?
What You’re Up Against
4 Badass Trailblazer Activists
You Rock on a Phenomenal Level
How to Embrace Your Imperfection
What You’re Up Against
3 (More) Badass Trailblazers in Entertainment (2000–Now)
The Badass Black Girl’s Movie List
Come as You Are
Focus Your Attention
What You’re Up Against
Reasons to Love Being a Black Girl
The Beauty of Just Being You
An Exercise in Self-Acceptance
What You’re Up Against
15 Upbeat Songs for Blue Days
6 (More) Badass Black Women in STEM
Focus on the Positive
What You’re Up Against
The Badass Black Girl Playlist
6 (More) Badass Trailblazers in Politics and Law (2010–NOW)
Think About It
Do Not Underestimate Your Ability to Bounce Back
What You’re Up Against
3 Badass Trailblazers in Business
How to Bounce Back
Turn Your Setbacks into Success
What Are You Up Against?
Think About It: Are You Too Woke?
Practice Gratitude
30 Days of Gratitude
Life Is Pretty Badass
About the Author
“I have a lot of things to prove to myself. One is that I can live my life fearlessly.”
—Oprah Winfrey, American media executive, actress, talk show host, television producer and philanthropist
Dear Badass Black Girl,
You are a true warrior who inherited the strength, courage, wisdom, love, and dignity of our ancestors. You stand on their shoulders, carrying a history of triumph. Yes, it is true: you also still carry some of the pain of yesterday’s Black heroines—these creators, innovators, and agents of change—and you are faced with the tremendous struggle of the modern girl of color. But make no mistake: you are strong and you can conquer whatever challenges this world hands you.
Your very existence defies history. Never forget those who broke the unjust rules society once used to limit their progress, those who fought hard to get you to this moment, those who gave light so others could find the way through dark times. Because of them, you get to walk into a restaurant through the front door, sit at the front of the bus, and cast a vote for leaders who represent your ideals. Walk in the freedom they secured for your sake. Be proud of your rich skin, and may your hair be a crown that stands tall. Be proud of your deep-rooted culture(s). Be proud of the power of those who came before you, as the strength of generations will propel you forward and carry you through difficulties.
Be fearless. But, as you move through the world, remember: your biggest responsibility is to remain thoughtful, to honor where you come from, and to recognize you didn’t simply appear and find your own voice. Alice Walker wrote, “How simple a thing it seems to me that to know ourselves as we are, we must know our mothers’ names.”
Kenbe (be strong),
MJ
“It was when I realized I needed to stop trying to be somebody else and be myself, I actually started to own, accept and love what I had.”
—Tracee Ellis Ross, American actress, model, comedian, director, and television host
Dear Badass Black Girl,
You think I don’t know you, but I do. I see you when your face is stretched by a smile—when you make those around you feel like they are the only people you’ve ever truly smiled at. But I’ve also seen your face when you clamp your lips as if you could trap your sadness inside. And there is a story there—beginning, middle, and end—all laid out within the curves of your mouth. I see you with more possibilities than you could ever imagine.
Unless they get in the way of the talents you do have, please don’t waste time focusing on the talents you don’t have. Don’t even seek to improve them (maybe later). Don’t obsess over your flaws. How many hours will you spend furiously perfecting scales on the piano before you realize playing music is not your forte? Not everyone is Hazel Scott or Nina Simone. You don’t have to be on the dance team if it’s not your thing. You don’t have to know the lyrics to the latest Cardi B. or Nicky Minaj song. You don’t have to be fluent in Spanish. You don’t have to make a mean bread pudding.
Stop trying to be someone else—the