At times, our self-awareness informs us that compliments can make us feel uncomfortable, anxious, insecure, and bothered. However, we somehow can’t escape the natural reflex to give that “look” when we do receive one and in turn we display avoidant behavior.

You know what holds us back from having a bomb ass romantic loving relationship? Hint: It’s not about being single. No, the real problem is that we have been taught and you have decided that romantic relationships with others should be and are more valuable than any other type of relationship you have, including one you could build with and for you.

 For those of you who don't know the CROWN Act is also known as Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act. What I love about this act is that local government is actually taking steps to make sure there is inclusion, pride, and choice in the workplace. They’re making sure (well, trying) Black folk can remain Black folk even in places of business.

All my melanin sisters are walking around with a new glow and confidence because they received external validation through a song, and I can’t help but wonder why Beyonce needed to say Brown skin girls are beautiful and worthy for them to believe it!

I’m proud that we have begun embracing our natural hair and society is beginning to respond positively, but we as Black women still have work to do, because texturism is STILL a problem. There are still some things we need to work on within our own communities before being able to truly combat texturism in society.

Often when we think of self-esteem, we think it happens on an personal level and that nothing interferes with it. Believe it or not, self-esteem is a concept that must be taught and is taught unintentionally and intentionally. The unintentional teaching of self-esteem usually teaches us how to have the lowest self-esteem possible. As a teen, this is happening on a variety of levels in every environment they enter.