Black Girl Magic

By: Thomasina Pearce and

Kayla Davis

A New Phrase Causing Buzz Everywhere:

Black Girl Magic
What is Black Girl Magic?

Blogger, Lindsey E.'s definition of Black Girl

Magic
OUR definition of Black Girl Magic
The "Girl" in Black Girl Magic

Fig. 1. urbarts.org

"Black Girl Magic is the confidence you have in knowing you are a sophisticated,
intelligent, & a blessed young lady who doesn't need the approval of anyone to
achieve absolute greatness."

The Importance of Confidence in Black Girls

Confidence a feeling of self-assurance arising from ones

appreciation of ones own qualities/abilities.
Confidence is more than just looks and appearance
Self-worth
The odds are stacked against young black girls

Celebrities who are the epitome of Black Girl Magic

Fig. 2. hotbirthdays.com
Fig. 4. thegrapefruit.net

Fig. 3. theybf.com

You have to be twice as good as them to get half of what

they have
Confidence is Fundamental to Success
Meet the Youtube Sisterhood:

Fig.5. pinterest.com

Fig.6. article.wn.com

Fig.7.lipstickalley.com

"It's embracing your kinky coils, luscious curls, or silky

relaxed hair."

Natural hair is often seen as

"unprofessional" in the work place
Some corporate offices have denied woman
with natural hair jobs because of their afros
or dreadlocks

I love my natural hair because

although there are many types
there is no other exactly like mine.
I have the freedom to be curly,
kinky, and wild and still be myself.
Plus natural girls rule the world. Kendra Shaw

Fig.8. Picture taken by Kayla Davis

My natural hair means a lot to me

because its not just hair, its a part
of me that I take much pride in. My
hair helps me stand out, its part of
my reputation. For me, even
though straight hair is Americas
ideal beauty, natural hair is
AMAZING and my idea of beauty.
-Jordan Moore

Fig.9. Picture taken by Kayla Davis

Whats Your Curl Pattern?

Fig.10. pinterest.com

Fig.11. unconditionedroots.com

Which curl pattern do

you believe is more
acceptable in
society?
Most African
American women
have multiple curl
patterns in their hair.

"Black girl magic is loving every inch of your rich melanin

skin."
The Effects of Colorism on Black
Girls

As defined by blogger, Kristin

Collins Jackson, "Colorism is the
principle that those with lighter skin
are treated with a higher regard than
those with darker skin" (Jackson)
Sadly, colorism is very prominent in
the black community

Fig.12. pinterest.com

Colorism Cont...
Dark as the midnight hour or bright as the morning sun

This distinction started during the days of slavery because lighter

skinned slaves worked in the house, while darker slaves manned
the fields
Oprah's documentary called, "Dark Girls"
Kendrick Lamar wrote a song titled Complexion uplifting women
of color

Light Skin vs. Dark Skin

Men also contribute to the

colorism in the female black
community.
Preference should not make a
man feel obligated to put down
other women.

Fig.13. face2faceafrica.com

Fig.14-19. twitter.com

Why is Black Girl Magic important to you?

Black Girl Magic is

the magic in black
girls that reminds
black women that
we are special,
beautiful, and
amazing!
-Rachel Jordan

Fig. 20. Picture taken by Kayla Davis

Black Girl Magic is

important because as
black girls it is hard to
obtain the confidence
we desire because of
societys constant
ridicule. We have to
depend on each other
for strength. -Aaliyah
Arrington

Fig. 21. Picture taken by Kayla Davis

Its walking with pride, knowing how much your ancestors

have done to get you where you are today.

Maya Angelou
Eartha Kitt
Zora Neale Hurston
Coretta Scott King
Angela Davis
Debbie Allen
Phylicia Rashad
Madame C.J. Walker

We Are Black Girl Magic

Fig. 25. Picture taken by Brianna

Moragne
Fig.23.
Picture
taken by
Naomi
McCoy
Fig.22. Picture taken by Mariah Alexander

Fig. 24. Picture taken by Cecil Jones

"Black Girl Magic is taking a stand in the social and political

realm. It's leading the way in your everyday activities and
paving the way."
Society's Perception of Black Girls

Music and the Media Plays a large role in society's

perception of black women.
Sexualized
"Double Minority"
Professionalism in the work place

Fig. 26. youtube.com

The Significance of Black Girl Magic

Builds a stronger sense of self-worth in black women.

I think Black Girl Magic is a

beautiful thing. Its great to
see our black girls taking
pride in themselves and
trying to spread it through
other black women. I was
actually shocked why I didnt
know about Black Girl Magic
and am definitely interested
in starting a Black Boy
Magic movement. We need
the love too! -Kual
Arrington
Fig. 27. Photograph taken by
Kayla Davis

Fig. 28. Photograph taken by

Kayla Davis

Black women are forced

to overcome typical
stereotypes and survive
and thrive in the world
today. All of the odds are
against us [black
women] therefore we
have to bond together
and unite and show
everyone we are not
what society portray us
as. -Nakia WortherlyFoye

Protect our Black Women

Figure 29: youtube.com

Malcolm X stated that black women are

the most disrespected people in America.
It is our job to protect black women,
especially young black women.

Thomasinas Story

Growing up with lighter siblings

Overcoming Colorism
Being uplifted by my parents
Confident NOT Cocky
Introduced to BGM by Kayla!
Bringing BGM back to my town

Figure 30: Picture taken by Zachary Pearce

Kaylas Story

Black Girl Magic honestly changed my

entire life. The movement inspired me to
take more pride in being an African
American young woman and to love
everything about myself. Black Girl
Magic encouraged me to support other
black women and to make a difference in
the world. Together I know that black
girls can change societys perception of
us as a whole.

Figure 31: Picture taken by

Kendra Shaw

Figure 32: Picture taken by

Lauren Bennett

Join the Movement

Black girls and women are smart, beautiful and confident

It is time society gives them the respect they deserve
In order to keep the movement alive it is our responsibility to
continue spreading the magic and educating those around us

DO YOU SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT? #BLACKGIRLMAGIC

Works Cited

11 Things You Can do Right Now to End Colorism. Bougie Black Girl.
27 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 July 2015.
Arrington, Aaliyah. Personal Interview. 23 July 2015.
Arrington, ZaKual. Personal Interview. 23 July 2015.
Browne, L., Mahogany. Black Girl Magic. Youtube. Youtube, 4 March
2015. Web. 23 July 2015.
Callahan, Yesha. How Are Reality TV Shows Affecting Societys Perception of Black Women. Cross
Roads News. Decatur, Georgia. 1 Jan 2015. Web. 24 July 2015.
Confidence! blackgirlslikeme.com. 20 June 2014. Web. 25 July 2015.
Daniels, Victoria. Personal Interview. 14 July 2015.
Drumming, Neil. Scandals racially charged motto Salon. 20 Oct 2013. Web. 29 July 2015.
E., Lindsey. Defining Black Girl Magic. Single Black Female Project.
22 April 2015. Web. 20 July 2015.
Griffin, Tiffany. Sexy and Smart Black Women Exist, too. Ebony. Ebony Magazine, 24 June 2014.
Web. 24 July 2015.
Jordan, Rachel. Personal Interview. 23 July 2015.
McGarrell, Imani. Editorial. Angry Black Woman Stereotype Stems
from Racism, Sexism. The University Star. Web. 20 July 2015.
Muhammad, Charlene. Who defines Black Women? The Final Call.
Web. 20 July 2015.

Works Cited Cont.

Quammie, Bee. Shes Got a Big Ego?: Reflections of Black Women and
Self- Confidence. For Harriet. Web. 24 July 2015.
Shaw, Kendra. Personal Interview. 23 July 2015.
Suhaila. I am black girl magic, divinity and lit. 12 July 2015. Tweet.
The Brown Truth pinterest.com. Web. 27 July 2015.
Tincho Llegamans. Serena Willams black girl magic. 12 July 2015. Tweet.
Yung Cleopatra. Were in the era of black girl magic tbh. 30 July 2015. Tweet.
Wortherly-Foye, Nakia. Personal Interview. 23 July 2015.