Celebrating Black Excellence

A lot of amazing Black women came to mind when discussing Black excellence during this week’s meeting. This term is often used to highlight and celebrate specific examples of such achievements and abilities demonstrated by an individual Black person, in this case, Black women. “Black excellence is a mindset backed by actions that display leadership through perseverance.”

The first woman I thought of was the world-famous author Maya Angelou, a poet, dancer, singer, activist, scholar and Hollywood’s first female black director. I first came across her autobiographical book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” when I was younger in a bookstore that I still visit. This book is about her childhood and acts as a testament to the need for resilience in the face of discrimination. I’m still intrigued by her broad career and everything she has accomplished.

Her pioneering autobiographical writing style is unique. She even wrote and read a poem at the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton. Angelou’s civil rights legacy still lives on. She was heavily involved in the civil rights movement and even served as the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Angelou, Martin Luther King Jr. and a comedian created “Cabaret For Freedom,” a play, and helped raise funds for Luther King Jr.’s civil rights campaign. She also worked closely with Malcom X and helped him develop the Organization of Afro-American Unity.

Angelou was truly astonishing. She received more than 30 honorary degrees, was inducted into the Wake Forest University Hall of Fame for Writers and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

I highly recommend learning more about Angelou and reading her amazing work. One of my favorite poems

A bit of a professional change, but I also thought of TikTok creator Monet Mcmichael. She first started her YouTube channel in 2012 and now has 2.9 million followers on TikTok. She is primarily known for posting beauty and makeup videos and showing her outfits. I am always excited to watch her videos. Her get ready with me videos are always so personal, making you feel you are friends getting ready together. I think she is talented and down-to-earth. She is persistent with her passions and deserves all the hype. I’m fascinated to see what she does with her platform!

You can find her page here.

“Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women,” published in 1995.

“Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,   

The stride of my step,   

The curl of my lips.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,   

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,   

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.   

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.   

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,   

And the flash of my teeth,   

The swing in my waist,   

And the joy in my feet.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,   

They say they still can’t see.   

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,   

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.   

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.   

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,   

The bend of my hair,   

the palm of my hand,   

The need for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.”

• black excellence
• Black History Month
• Monet Mcmichael.
• powerful black women