Black women are beginning to prioritize their mental health in all aspects. They are traveling the world, maintaining the “soft girl” persona, updating their skin care routines, doing low impact workouts and more. Overall, Black women are living their best lives unapologetically.
Many Black women believe that the first step to achieving the highest level of self-love is boosting their mental health. If their mental health is prioritized, then they can manifest their wildest dreams. While social media can be a falsified perception of reality, there is one thing that is true: Black women are growing. They are prioritizing themselves and breaking generational trauma. Anyone can scroll on their screen on any given day and see a woman living their best stress-free life.
Black celebrities are using their platform to encourage their followers to prioritize their mental health. They are opening up more and sharing their journey with the world, which is inspiring to the community. Whether it’s through social media, a television show or a musical anthem, these Black celebrities are doing more than prioritizing their mental health and self love. They are empowering other women to love themselves, take care of their mental health and rebuild their confidence.
Check out these Black celebrities who have taught the community how to love themselves to the fullest and prioritize mental health and wellness.
Speak Positive Affirmations like Coco Jones
Speaking positivity in your life can take you places you wouldn’t imagine. Whether its praying or chanting affirmations throughout the day, giving yourself grace allows you to change your mindset. Actress and singer Coco Jones is using her platform to show Black women what that mental health practice looks like.
In her mid teenage years, Jones appeared on the Disney Channel original movie “Let It Shine,” and was signed to a label. However, shortly after she was dropped and found her life at a standstill.
“I got signed at 15, and then I got dropped at around 16, turning 17, so I was just like, ‘what do I do? I’m out here by myself. I don’t have a team. I don’t have management,’” she said in a recent interview with New York radio station Hot 97. “That was very scary and sad. Not having any clue of what was going to change for me or if it ever was.”
She also endured colorism throughout her career, which took a toll on her mental health. Although Jones feared her situation would never change she knew that giving up was not an option. She relinquished her fears of starting over and started pouring into herself.
Now, Jones stars as Hillary Banks in Peacock’s “Bel-Air” and recently released an EP titled “What I Didn’t Tell You.” In the Hot 97 interview, she described this chapter in her life as a “renaissance moment.” It all began when she began to speak positive affirmations over herself and her career.
“Psychologically, seeing other lighter girls get every job can mess with your literal mental health as a kid as you’re coming up in this world,” she said. “That’s another reason to why I make songs like “Caliber” on my EP because what I’m really saying is I have standards.”
She said that she is intentional with the words in her music because they are powerful and she wants girls to speak life over themselves.
Loving Your Body like Lizzo
Loving your body with all of its curves can be difficult especially with social media and today’s beauty standards. The negativity circling certain body types can greatly impact ones mental health. Lizzo is someone who continuously encourages people to look in the mirror and accept every part of who they are.
When Lizzo’s single “Truth Hurts” hit the streets, the lyrics invoked strong feelings from everyone who listened. It was an anthem for body positivity. The vocalist, flutist, Grammy-award winner, continues to incorporate positivity within her music to eliminate any false narratives society placed on Black women.
Since her body is the topic of discussion by many trolls and haters, she established Yitty, which is a shapewear and intimates brand for all shapes and sizes. She recently celebrated the brand’s one year anniversary on Instagram with a stunning, bedazzled ensemble. Yitty also announced a “YOUR SKIN,” line, which is a gender affirming line that will sell items, such as binder tops and tucking thongs.
Lizzo dedicates her time and energy to make everyone feel and look great. Despite your size or identity, the thought of being you is enough, and Lizzo makes sure that everyone embraces that.
Address Generational Trauma Head On like Fantasia
Addressing generational issues can be hard, and they really can impact mental health. Millennials and Gen Z have taken the step to change their current life trajectories by confronting their past. R&B singer Fantasia decided to tackle her family’s generational trauma head on and go back to school to pursue higher education.
Fantasia told PEOPLE that her children inspired her to enroll in college. The 38-year-old singer wants to break the generational curses that exist in her family.
“I’m a businesswoman now and I desire to continue to sharpen my sword and better my craft,” she told PEOPLE. “I want to break generational curses. When it comes to my family, my girls, my children, I want to show them that no matter what she’s been through, you can always get back and go after it again, and that’s what I am doing.”
The American Idol winner said that her grandmother influenced a lot of her decisions in life.
“My grandmother used to tell me anything worth having is worth fighting for, and I want other people to see that if you just stay in the ring, you’ll get to where you’re going,” she said.
Fantasia didn’t let anything deter her from pursuing higher education and inspiring the next generation in her family. She uses her platform to encourage people to reach for their goals, pursue their dreams and address their past traumas to fully embrace their future and improve their mental health.
Form a Sisterhood like Mary J. Blige
Living in this world alone is not healthy for Black women’s mental health. There is power in divine femininity and unity amongst Black women. Communicating and relying on your girls for companionship soothes your mental health. Black women should have open conversations about their realties. Mary J. Blige is showing Black women the importance of sisterhood with BET’s “The Wine Down with Mary J. Blige.”
She has consistently created a space of refuge for Black women with her music. Now, the “Power” actress is in her era of self-love, and her talk show is an extension of that. The show is a safe space for her friends to open up about their different journeys. The first episode, which featured Taraji P Henson and Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee, explored relationships, sex and grief.
The episode showed all three women learning from and uplifting each other. It showed the power of sisterhood and love. Your sisters will be the ones to uplift you in the dark times and celebrate you during the good times. One simple conversation with your girlfriends can be therapeutic. Blige shows Black women how to not only love themselves, but also form a sisterhood that will do the same.