True Beauty Stories Archive

Ashley Burke-Moore's Story

A mirror's reflection cannot do justice for what I have become. No longer do I wear a shade lighter or highlight my cheekbones to overcome. I have stopped walking in the footsteps of those I would like to be; I now leave an imprint of my own path as I begin to embrace and love me. I am fearfully made: Every part of me was crafted and engineered to uniquely complement, all of my talents support my gift and every physical attribute I have was God sent. On this journey to fit in and prosper, I let the world define me and in the process I lost her, her being she that stands before my mirror. Now my eyes are opening to this beautiful black figure. I am a woman, I am a voice and everything found in between. I am my own melody, walking within my choice to be more than what can or can't be seen. I love my color and respect my tone, I kiss my flaws (even the ones not shown), I can look at myself and not be critical for now I am secure in knowing that My Black is Beautiful.

Natalia Garcia's Story

Coming from a single-parent home and being an only child, I found solace in music. It was and has always been my passion. While I wasn't fully confident in my voice, I decided to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. Over the years I've learned to embrace not only my voice, but also my purpose as a young, black, intelligent and beautiful woman. The journey wasn't easy, as I found myself on an emotional roller coaster dealing with various situations as they arose. My advice to other young black women and women in general is to first love yourselves and, in doing so, you learn to appreciate all that you were blessed with and have to offer! As I celebrate my last year in college, I celebrate the woman I've become. I am strong, fearless, independent, soulful, humble and determined! I continue to keep reaching for the stars and pushing forward because my black is superbly beautiful!!

Jasmine Perkins' Story

My Black is Beautiful …
It is the strength and glow that shines from within to the outermost surfaces of her skin.
It is the love and honor that she feels for herself and the valuable standards she sets, not accepting anything less.
It is the essence of who I AM;
Not wavering to become something that she is not.
It is the history saved, the roads paved, the values that shape her beauty.
It is that drive that keeps her going, the lessons that keep her knowing, the harvest that she reaps from the seeds of deeds that she keeps on sowing.
It is the artistry of you … the artistry of me, a blossoming gift of Black beauty.

Kim Curry's Story

I went to a predominantly white elementary school and always had self-esteem issues — thinking I wasn't pretty because I didn't have long, flowing, blonde hair. When I went to high school, I met more black people and saw how beautiful they were without the long hair. I began to come into my own at that point and have never looked back. I realize I am a strong, beautiful, foxy, confident black woman. I didn't have daughters to pass this on to, but I do now have granddaughters, and I tell them how beautiful they are every day.

Jacque Keil's Story

I am the child of a mixed racial heritage. I grew up in Bogalusa, a small Southeastern city in Louisiana. And in the home I grew up in, fair skin, straight to wavy (not too curly) hair was "in." Who I was, a dark skinned, nappy-headed kid, was OUT.

It should not come as a surprise when I tell you that I learned at an early age to "stay out of the way." No one needed to see me. However, I did see myself. I knew I was different. I looked different. I talked different. And I most certainly thought different. Up until my mid-thirties, I thought God had punished me. Not only did he make me ugly, he placed me in a home with all these beautiful people. How could He be so cruel? Perhaps now you are asking, "What happened in your mid-thirties?" Well, here comes the most beautiful part of my story ...

I learned to not only accept myself. I learned to love myself. I began to read, pray and meditate for answers. And then I learned to listen for the soft whispers of God's answers. I began to look in the mirror and repeat over and over again to myself: You are beautiful just the way God created you. Nothing needs to be added and nothing needs to be taken away. Then I began to notice that once I started to accept and love myself, so did others. Now I find myself surrounded by people who see just what I see. Sometimes they see the true essence of who I am even when I can't and are kind enough to lovingly remind me. There's the occasional "hater" and I am grateful that they are on their job. Because without them, I may cease to remind myself of who I am.

After all of those years of living in agony about who I THOUGHT I was, I finally realized who I truly AM. I am a beautiful, intelligent, spiritual, funny, caring, loving, sensual child of God. And so are you.

Angelin Thompson's Story

My black is beautiful because I teach. My grandparents were teachers, and I was powerfully influenced by many teachers. However, I never wanted to be a teacher. I didn't want the financial struggles, the never-ending hours and the grief. But God in his infinite wisdom called me to do just that, and I will never regret it. I show other black boys and girls that we are professional, smart and can make a difference in someone else's life. I teach them that people who look like them have and will continue to make a real and lasting contribution to this world. I'm so grateful every time I walk into a classroom. I forget about the negative aspects of teaching, such as the low salary, and I focus all my attention on the children. My black is beautiful because I'm able to uplift, inspire and make a difference in the lives of children. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.

Fatima Bawah's Story

Confidence is key! I look back on the days when I was about 11 years old and struggling with low self-esteem, because I thought I was ugly. I couldn't even stand to look at myself in the mirror. A history teacher helped me realize that I was beautiful and that I was an African queen. She taught me beauty is found within, not on the outside. I overcame many obstacles in my life, and I finally truly believe that my black is beautiful. Now, I'm 19 years old, and I have grown to be the African queen my teacher once told me I would be. My confidence exudes all over. I refuse to let anyone take my confidence and self-esteem away, because I've worked so hard to get here. My black is bold, triumphant, radiant, glowing, confident — my black is beautiful!

Candacy Wint's Story

Throughout my childhood and most of my high-school years, it wasn't popular to have a dark complexion. For this reason, I had self-esteem issues that I would usually mask with a smile.

I have learned to love every part of myself, inside and out. My complexion does not define me. I believe our beauty is of equal caliber, regardless of our pigmentation. We all have insecurities. However, this is the body that God gave me. Embracing my complexion has been one of the most liberating things I have ever done. I am proud of who I am and what I have become. I no longer stare in the mirror and try to find imperfections about myself. Instead, whenever I look in the mirror, in a modest manner, I point out the beautiful things about myself. Being comfortable in my own skin and embracing it is why I believe that My Black is Beautiful.

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