Dear Reader,

Honey you are magic. Your hair is spun from night, your skin is chocolate gold. Black girl you are so pretty, so extraordinary- even when you don't feel it. It's okay, we don't always have to but please make an exception. Feel yourself, how you walk through a room, how you command a space. Think about how you slayed that interview, how you pieced together the right outfit. Remember how your poetry sounds, or your voice when you're singing in the shower. Think about how proud your mother is of you, your granmdother, your father. Black girls made Lemonade, and A Seat At The Table and Formation. Black girls have cornrows and boxer braids and stories that are passed down from generation to generation. Feel the pride that it is to be Black, how our creativity comes oh so naturally. That's you, Black girl. It doesn't matter if you're awkward or clumsy or don't know how to "do hair". You are you and we are so very proud to have you.

You've been told this fact in so many different words like " pretty", "beautiful", "gorgeous" and "extraordinary". And it's so true, even if you don't believe it. It's hard, it's one of the most difficult things you can learn. We are so busy giving others the encouragement and love that they need that we don't give that to ourselves.

Darling you are shining light on a dark night, you;re the sun setting fire to worlds. This is what it means to love yourself, feel this truth singing in your blood. Smile more in your selfies, get silly in those Snap videos and finally live. The only one watching your every move is you. And while we're at it, dear reader, start taking better care of yourself. Seriously. Sleep in, get up early, write more, write less and for goodness sake EAT THE DOUGHNUT! When we stress over every thing that is both real and impossible we take more energy from ourselves.

Look in the mirror, give yourself a hug and say "I'm doing so good today" because we need encouragement too. You can feel better and more self confident when you start to journal the happy momoents in your life. In fact there is a quote by an amazing magical Black poet named Warsan Shire. She says "Document the moments that you feel most in love with yourself- what you're wearing, who you're around, what you're doing. Recreate and repeat." Write down compliments on sticky notes and paste them all around your room. Wear that bold lipstick, get outside of your comfort zone. Put on some Beyonce and say "I'm feeling myself" and actually feel it. Our self-perception ties in closely with our identity. Anyone can be a scientist or a writer but nobody can be you. Beautiful, magical you.