#bossbabe

Lizzo is Queen

Melissa Viviane Jefferson, known professionally as Lizzo, is an award winning singer, rapper, songwriter and flutist.

Lizzo is multifaceted

Lizzo is multitalented

Lizzo is stunning

Lizzo is beautiful

Lizzo is a trailblazer

Lizzo is a real model

Lizzo is an influencer

Lizzo is hard working

Lizzo deserves all her trophies and accolades

Lizzo doesn’t deserve to be hated on for being a “big girl”

Lizzo doesn’t deserve to be disrespected for being comfortable in her own skin

Lizzo doesn’t deserve to be ridiculed for being vulnerable

Lizzo doesn’t deserve to be harnessed by the so-called body positive community, when she decides to prioritise her physical health and wellness

Lizzo doesn’t have to be your cup of tea but she is loved by millions, including me.

Lizzo is a phenomenal Black woman

Period.

If Adele and other non Black women like her can be celebrated solely on their talents, so should Lizzo.

It is a great shame that Black women in the music industry only achieve mainstream success if they are overtly sexual i.e.raunchy, eye candy, sole purpose to provide sexual pleasure (typically to men)

And of course fair skinned,slim, basically far removed from presenting any African phenotypical features.

Please support Black women for their God given talents the way you honour and celebrate Adele (a white woman) for just being a singer/songwriter.

Lizzo is basically the Black equivalent of [big] Adele only Lizzo has a more bubbly personality.

Some might say Adele comes without any gimmicks, that may be true but remember the barrier to international stardom and success isn’t the same for Black women ‍♀️

Author - @iameriwa

Model - Lizzo

Invest in yourself

Dear Black women,

In order to secure a comfortable future, you must first invest in yourself.

Invest in your education and career.

Invest in your wellness, take care of your spiritual, physical, and mental health.

Invest your time doing things that bring you joy, peace and happiness.

Surround yourself with people who can advance your mindset, skills, network, and understanding of the world.

Be comfortable with being uncomfortable, that’s where amazing things happen.

Stretch yourself but don’t overdo it

Rest

Breathe

Repeat

Use each day as an opportunity to share your awesome talents with the world, your community, your family, and circle of friends.

Be encouraged

Be encouraging

Be empowered

Be empowering

Be inspired

Be inspiring

Be everything you want to be

But most of all, be YOU

Remain blessed Black Queens ❤️

Author - @iameriwa

Model - Crystal Renée @luvcrystalrenee

Afrotech

As a Black geekette, I’m dedicated to helping aspiring and established women of colour in their professional lives.

I want to encourage more of us, especially Black women to persue careers in tech, apply for product management, human centred design, digital transformation, and leadership roles.

Don’t worry if you don’t have qualifications, your skills are transferrable.

Step out of your comfort zone, and begin a journey of self improvement, by investing in your education and training.

Take free online courses.

Join YearUp!

EdX.org

Coursera.org

YearUp.org

Scratch, the free Interactive coding tutorial

https://scratch.mit.edu

Learn to code interactively, for free.

Take free courses from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Wharton B-School…free!

Code Academy

Khan Academy

http://www.codecademy.com/

https://lnkd.in/giMCAWY

coursera.org

EdX.org

Udacity.com

Novoed.com

Free Math & Computer Programming Courses

Black Girls Code

The Code Academy

Khan Academy

Coursera

EdX

https://lnkd.in/gF26P2Y

https://www.codecademy.com

Coursera.org

There’s a shortage of female talent in the industry, especially Black women ‍‍‍

Side note - I’m featured on Imperial College London’s #BlackToTheFuture segment.

My advice for Black students struggling to bring their whole selves into their professional lives is to know your worth and be willing to walk away if others don’t appreciate what you bring to the table. Always advocate for yourself and your community. If you don’t, who will? Lastly, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to become a ‘model Black student’. Instead, focus on being real. Your authenticity and unapologetic nature are what counts - not approval, appreciation, or applause from others.

#BlackToTheFuture: Déolá Ònásanwó

Queens, our future is bright (Amin Ase) ❤️

Author - @iameriwa

Model - @nadiya.mc

Clothing - @binarybeauty

Praise be to God

From the age of five I was instructed to take care of my Mum and Sister.

Why would anyone ask a child to take on such responsibility?

I wasn’t old enough to question the instruction, so did my best to adhere.

You see my Dad died when I was five, and at that time, my baby sister was barely one.

My Mum was constantly in and out of the hospital, managing an inherited red blood cell disorder.

I had no choice but to grow up, and do so fast.

Becoming responsible at such a young age was a gift and a curse.

I didn’t get a chance to enjoy my childhood, or my teenage years because I wasn’t considered a child.

Everyone who could, took advantage.

That being said, all my experiences prepared me for the many challenges I’ve been through and overcome.

I’ve always been wise beyond my years, and felt a sense of duty to care for my loved ones, before myself.

However, now I’ve established healthy boundaries.

I do things out of love not obligation.

I don’t allow anyone to emotionally abuse me or guilt trip me.

I don’t give anyone my hard earned money whenever they ask because they’ve been irresponsible with their finances.

I don’t allow anyone into my space if their energy isn’t right or aligned with mine.

I don’t wait for anyone’s appreciation, applause or approval, I don’t need it.

I don’t hold malice but where necessary I will keep my distance.

I don’t have any expectations so don’t get disappointed, just pleasantly surprised.

I’ve stop holding people to my standards, I know we are all different, and have different paths.

I’ve let go of all my hurt and anger

I’ve realeased all my past pain and embrace my present, while remaining optimistic about the future.

I love myself first

I prioritise my needs first and don’t apologise for doing so

I’m focused on my mental, physical and spiritual growth and that’s it.

I’m blessed and highly favoured

I let God guide my footsteps and walk confidently moving forward.

Praise be to God - Amen

Author - @iameriwa

⁣Photography - @xander.foto

⁣Model - @attrvcion

⁣Hair - @tossedtresses⁣

⁣Stylist - @talyseanir_ ⁣

Focus on your own race

Whatever talent(s) God gave you, please ensure to cultivate and nurture them daily.

If you maintain a genuine interest (and passion) for what you’re doing, there is a strong chance of becoming successful at it.

Just be mindful that the tangible results/rewards of your hard work may look different from others.

Success is a subjective experience, and many people who appear to be living their “best lives” on social media, in private are actually struggling: be it financially, emotionally or spiritually.

Always stay focused on your own race, and run it at your own pace!

Remember, don’t ever compare yourself to someone else. Your only job is to become a better version of the person you were yesterday.

You’ve got this Sis ❤️

Author - @iameriwa

Model - @joray_smiles ⁣

⁣Photography - @conceptart_photography

Never Settle

Irrespective of how I feel about Nicki’s personality, I do respect and admire her contribution to Hip Hop and women empowerment.

So much so, that I was extremely saddened and disappointed in her choice of partner. Anyway, I urge women, especially single women, to use Nicki’s marriage has a cautionary tale. If you’re successful, and have choices, DO NOT settle down with a man who isn’t on your level.

I know that society puts tremondous pressure on women to get married and have children; but try to be strong, and wait for someone more deserving! DO NOT ignore the warning signs, the excess baggage, lack of financial security, and criminal background, just because you’re eager to become a WIVE and MOTHER.

Love yourself enough to not invest in a nonentity like Mr.Petty ‍♀️

Author@iameriwa

Model - Nicki Minaj

MichaelaCoel

Write the tale that scares you, that makes you feel uncertain, that isn’t comfortable,

I dare you

In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others

To help us better determine how we feel about ourselves, and to in turn feel the need to be

Constantly visible, for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success…

Do not be afraid to disappear from it,

From us for a while,

And see what comes to you in the silence.

I dedicate this story to every single survivor of sexual assault

Speech by Michaela Coel

Photography by Vittorio Zunino

Skin Blessed by God

I don’t know who needs to hear this but

Sis, your kinky curly afro hair is beautiful

Your richly melanated skin is beautiful

Your thick juicy lips are beautiful

Your spectacular broad nose is beautiful

Everything about you, from your head to your toes is beautiful

Because BabaGod created you

And The Lord makes no mistakes

So please rise up each and every morning

Basking in the fact that you are BeYOUtiful

In the words of Nas “My African skin gave me the passion to win”

Always remember that Queen

Author - @iameriwa

Model - Mary Sekeye

Photography - Belva Chan

Blessings come with patience

When your neighbor (family/friend/coworker) receives a blessing, that’s a sign God is in your neighbourhood.

Be patient, not sad, as your turn will soon come.

Remember, your timeline and God’s doesn’t always align. However, if The Lord sees fit to bless you, just wait. In your waiting period, be thankful for all the awesome things He had blessed you with throughout your life.

The Lord never changes, our circumstances do, so don’t feel anxious or sad that your prayers and heart desires are yet to be answered.

God’s timing is perfect,

He will never disappoint you,

The Lord will be there for you in your time of need,

He will bless you beyond that which you believed to be possible.

Stay calm and carry on,

God will give you countless reasons to smile

Amin Ase ❤️

Author@iameriwa

Simone Biles

She didn’t quit

She didn’t give up

She didn’t cower

She did what we have been taught

Is the one thing

Magical Black Women

CAN NOT DO

Put ourselves first

Our health

Our bodies

Our minds

Our talent

Our desires

Our strength

Our beauty

Our genius

Our abilities to fly

To soar

To win

Are supposed to be laid at the feet

Of whiteness

Of this nation

Of this world

Offered up like a sacrifice

The rent we are expected to pay

To be seen as

Athlete

Entertainment

Disposable

But never whole

Worthy of protection

Worthy of peace

We are never supposed to

Get off the stage

Leave the competition

Demand solace

Without permission

Permission to be human

Permission to rest

Permission that is always

Denied

She did what

Black Women

are told

We can not do

She took her power

And walked away

She determined what was best

For her

For her soul

Her heart

Her life

We are watching

Learning

Following the trails blazed

Rest should not be a Revolution

But it is

And she is

And that is worth more than

Any medal or title

On earth

Self-care Queen - Simone Biles ❤️‍♀️

Author - @leslehonore (They replaced with She)

Model - @simonebiles

Photography credit - @sportsillustratedswimsource

Dear Black Women

Untill the energy and support we give to Black men (those we are related to, and otherwise) is privately/ publically reciprocated, I would encourage us to take a back seat. I appreciate that it is in our nature to go out of our way to love, protect and defend our men, (often to our own detriment) but we need to stop putting their needs and wants before our own!

I want to remind you of the racial abuse Black women like Diane Abbott endures on a regular basis. Do Black men collectively run to her defence, support her when she is being trolled, or send her love when she is being hated on by racist bandits? Hmm, no they don’t.

Furthermore, when you ask them why they don’t, many Black men will say “I don’t like politics” or “I’m not interested in supporting the Labour party” oh let’s not forget their favourite excuse “ I don’t like her wig”. Well newsflash, the vast majority of us don’t like football/support the England football team, nor do we find the black footballers hairstyles aesthetically appealing. Yet, we still come out in solidarity of these men whenever they’re being attacked.

Ladies, we need to wise up, as we’re shown on a daily basis that our experiences, feelings and thoughts are not as important or valid in this white supremacist society, and worse still, in our own community. So, let’s proritise ourselves because no one else will. #UncomfortableTruth #DefendBlackWomanhood ❤️‍♀️

Author@iameriwa

Model @mstrinitysimone

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