Say it Loud … I’m Black and I’m Proud

When I was a little girl, my parents would play a song written by James Brown that always had me up dancing. That song–“Say It Loud I’m Black and I’m Proud,” still sticks with me and if I had a chance to thank Mr. Brown in person, I would because that song is almost like my anthem. 

This Black History Month my team has selected beauty as our theme. Our plan is to spend the month highlighting people and entities that have shaped the beauty industry for Blacks.  But as I reflect on our theme, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that my beauty, and those of my Black brothers and sisters, is rooted in a generation of people whose beauty was often attacked by those who feared and hated their Blackness. Thankfully, innovators behind brands such as Fashion Fair, Flori Roberts, Fenty, Cream of Nature, Elasta, Bronner Brothers and many others created products by us and for us that made sure that we knew that our Black was and will always be beautiful. They told us to be proud, to highlight our Blackness, not to downplay it. To shine brightly and never dim our light for anyone. Our beauty is unique and stems from decades of time-honored traditions of our ancestors. It is my hope that we remember this, not only during February when there is an intentionality in emphasizing all things Black but every day of the year. Your Black, my Black is beautiful. Say it loud … we’re Black and we’re proud.