7 Historical Warrior Princesses I Want My Daughter to Emulate
I only recently got a peek at what Americans call ‘Princess Culture’ and sort of connected why the little girls all wanted pink frocks that look like 17th century designs, like to wear tiaras and some of them demand that... Continue Reading
Is it Fair to Force My Anti-Relaxer Stance on My Daughter?
When I went natural 8 years ago, it felt revolutionary to me. I chopped my relaxed hair off for a number of reasons: I was a broke grad student with no home perm skills; I was curious about my natural... Continue Reading
How to Throw a Doc McStuffins Themed Birthday Party
When I decided to plan my daughters birthday party I knew we were going to have a Doc Mc Stuffins theme. The show was relatively new so there were not that many products out there. Now that more people have... Continue Reading
Stop Hugging My Baby When She Says No
My daughter, at only two years old, is a child who owns herself from head to toe. Before I became a mother, it never occurred to me that children are autonomous little people and not personal belongings of their parents.... Continue Reading
Why I Reject Princess Culture for My Black Girls — Even Princess Tiana
In 2009 Disney released The Princess and the Frog, making Princess Tiana the first black Disney princess. I know many black parents rejoiced knowing that their daughters would finally have a princess that looks like them. We finally got some... Continue Reading
Why I Gave My Daughter a Black Name — Despite the Perceived Consequences
As an African-American woman with an unusual name (Dara Tafakari), I know all too well that America is unkind to difference. People have always butchered my name mercilessly. When I got pregnant with my daughter, I considered naming her as... Continue Reading
These Disney Princesses Redrawn as Women of Color are Incredible!
Graphic designer TT of LetThereBeDoodles has reimagined Disney princesses as women of color and we are loving it! The images have gone viral since she posted them to her Tumblr page. In an interview with E Online, TT explained that... Continue Reading
Feminist Scholar bell hooks Calls Beyonce a Terrorist for Her Impact on Young Girls
A few days ago The New School university in New York hosted a panel discussion entitled “Are You Still a Slave” with black thinkers and activists, including feminist scholar bell hooks. The discussion focused on how black women are portrayed... Continue Reading
6 Sources of Black Ballerina Inspiration for Little Girls
Dutch National Opera & Ballet dancer Michaela DePrince Photo Source My 6 year old daughter looooves ballerinas. She took a ballet class a few years ago and fell in love with it. Whenever I see Black Ballerinas I think of... Continue Reading
New Dreamworks Animated Film, Home, Will Feature a Black Girl as the Protagonist
This is exciting. Dreamworks’ new animated film, Home, will feature a young black girl (voiced by Rihanna) as its protagonist! Here’s a description of the movie from Wikipedia: An overly optimistic, yet inept, alien race named Boov, led by Captain... Continue Reading
Actor Tyrese Gibson Posts Video Doing Adorable Affirmations With Daughter Shayla
“It doesn’t matter what they think of me. I know what I think of myself. I am great. I am amazing. I am significant.” Singer/actor Tyrese Gibson posted an adorable video of him and daughter Shayla doing their affirmations along... Continue Reading
Beauty! Twin Dancers Are Accepted to American Ballet Theatre’s Prestigious Summer Program
How beautiful is this! 10-year-old twins Imani and Nia Lindsay have been accepted to The American Ballet Theatre’s prestigious summer program on scholarship. The girls started walking at just 8 months old, and have always had a passion for movement... Continue Reading
7 Incredible Black Women We Should Teach Our Children About
1. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Nigeria) (1900-1978) I first learned of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti while enjoying the Broadway musical FELA. In the play, Fela’s character mentions how powerful his mother’s influence is in his life. Upon researching her life, I realized that she... Continue Reading
10 Ways to Build Self-Esteem in Black Girls
Before becoming a mom to two little girls, I remember having a conversation with a friend about girls and self-worth. My friend said, “We should not tell little girls they are ‘cute,’ instead we should tell them that they are... Continue Reading
Ew. Your Baby’s Hair is Turning
By Lurie Daniel Favors of Afro State of Mind You may have heard comments like these before: Dang. Your baby used to have such pretty hair. What happened? Oh her hair is so cute! Except for this nappy section right here… That baby... Continue Reading
