Nappy-Headed Black Girl:
Celebrating Our Strength and Beauty
Let’s have some real talk, because if you’re a Black or Brown woman, I’m pretty sure you’ve been there. I was always that girl with dark skin and nappy hair—the one who got teased and bullied. School was no joke. I mean, “Blackie! Big lips! Nappy hair! ”—That stuff cuts deep. Home wasn't always a safe space either. The teasing didn’t stop; it was like I couldn't catch a break. I wasn’t one of the “cool” girls, but I had my crew, my circle of friends who looked just like me. We bonded over the shared struggles, and the same challenges day in and day out. Then, as I got older, the insults took on a different tone— “Oh, you’re pretty for a dark-skinned girl.” You know the drill. It made me question my worth and my beauty. But through time, therapy, and some serious soul-searching, I started to see myself differently. I fell in love with my full lips that pop with my favorite lipstick, and my dark skin that shines like gold in the sun. I wouldn’t trade any of it. Embracing my authentic self-gave me the strength to dig roots deep and truly embrace who I am.
But let’s keep it 100—getting here wasn’t easy, and the struggle is real.
I know a lot of you can relate. Growing up with dark skin and nappy hair wasn’t a smooth ride. The emotional and psychological toll of colorism and featurism weighed on us like a ton of bricks. We were often made to feel invisible, unworthy, and less than. The stories of sisters who’ve endured teasing, bullying, and straight-up discrimination are far too common. Many of us carried that negativity like a heavy load, leading to self-doubt and even wanting to change our natural appearance just to fit in.
Discrimination was everywhere—whether it was being overlooked in school plays when we were younger or being passed over for jobs as adults. I can’t tell you how many times I knew I had a job in the bag, only to watch it go to someone who didn’t have half of the skills I had. And let’s be real—being a nappy-headed Black girl wasn’t what they were looking for. The lack of representation in the media made it worse, leaving us feeling like outsiders because we had so few examples to look up to.
And you know what? I’m happy to say that times are changing. More and more, we’re seeing sisters embrace their true selves and make waves in every field. Look at Simone Biles, who’s not just crushing it in gymnastics but also standing up for her mental health and showing the world the power of self-care. Or take Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, who’s out here breaking barriers and redefining justice. And we can’t forget Issa Rae, who’s giving us spaces to see ourselves in all our beauty and complexity on screen. These queens are doing the damn thing, showing us what’s possible when we embrace who we are, unapologetically.
But here’s the thing about us: we are resilient. There’s nothing like a determined woman who’s had enough. We take all that pain and flip it, turning it into power. We found strength in our differences and learned to feel good about our natural beauty. Our dark skin and nappy hair are not flaws; they are our unique features that set us apart and make us stunning. Embracing our natural features is a powerful act of resistance against oppressive beauty standards. When we rock our fros, twists, and braids, we are making a statement: we are proud of who we are. Wear your natural hair and dark skin with pride—we deserve to be seen and celebrated just as we are.
To all my dark-skinned, nappy-headed queens, never forget this: you are beautiful. Your hair and skin are perfect just as they are. So, rock that vibe! Embrace yourself with confidence and know your worth. Together, let’s continue to empower each other and celebrate our unique beauty.
You are seen. You are valued. You are loved.
So, have you ever faced similar experiences growing up? How did you find your way to self-love and acceptance? Share your story in the comments below—we’re here to support and uplift each other.
With love and empowerment- E
Empowering Sisterhood One Story at a Time
#DarkSkinBeauty #UnapologeticallyBlack #SisterhoodStrong #NappyAndProud