Faye Z. Belgrave - Finding Her Voice: How Black Girls in White Spaces Can Speak Up and Live Their Truth

A thoughtful and actionable guide for Black girls and women navigating a wide range of feelings and experiences with support, affirmation, and resilience.

Jamia Wilson , author of Young, Gifted and Black ; Step Into Your Power ; and This Book Is Feminist

This has been my experience! An excellent workbook for black girls and young women! I certainly could have used this growing up! Will be using the workbook as I mentor young, Black girls. Loved the formatcould relate to all of the stories. Understanding potential meanings behind the experiences and having a plan for what to do about theminvaluable! A boys version for my two younger brothers?

Sydney Leigh Payne , honor student and STEM scholar at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA; mathematics major on a premed track; scholar; social and political activist; community volunteer; mentor; tutor; and musician

Finding Her Voice engages Black girls in an intimate conversation about the multilayered realities of racism. It blends evidence-based research with African-centered wisdom, cultural heritage, and practical strategies. The real-life experiences and reflection exercises acknowledge difficult emotions while strengthening inner resources and support networks, including ancestors, family, and community organizations. This book can help Black girls stand strong in their identity while facing a world that often disaffirms their relevance.

Sandra Y. Lewis, PsyD , professor of psychology and director of African American Studies at Montclair State University, and author of Life in 4-Part Harmony

Finding Her Voice is a much-needed piece of work for Black girls everywhere! As a mom of two daughters who were educated in predominantly White schools, each section of this workbook resonated profoundly. The scenarios are accurate and the activities intentional. Having access to this resource years ago would have been beneficial throughout my parenting journey with my own daughtersespecially during those adolescent years.

Michelle C. Blair, MSW , assistant director of TRIO programs at Virginia Commonwealth University

As someone who has worked closely with groups of Black girls in school settings, this book was a breath of fresh air! A comprehensive guide to being a young, Black girl in todays society. I wish there was something like this when I was younger. It speaks directly to subjects that my girls struggle with every day. I definitely plan on using it with my group once its released!

Jennifer Hall , coordinator for Color of Brilliance girls group

This book will save lives. Its the long-overdue guide that Black girls deserve in White spaces. This book makes structural what many Black girls may wrongly interpret as personal failings. White mothers, like me, can learn so much from reading this book and understanding how our blinders can lead us to bump up against Black girls and do real harm. Once we know, we can do better; this book makes that chance possible.

Courtney E. Martin , author of Learning in Public

Finding Her Voice is an incredibly thoughtful and comprehensive collection of powerful resources and tools for Black girls living and learning in predominantly White spaces. Authors Patton, Belgrave, and Belgrave get at the heart of girlhood and adolescenceto belong and be loved for ones true self. Foundational, contextual, and historical information and concrete action steps create a guide for positive identity development and self-advocacy.

Laura Haskins , head of school at Orchard House School

Truly an amazing work that sensitively broaches the unique problems of Black girls through interactive activities, heartfelt stories, and educational takeaways. If you need a book that will bring a new light on your inner self and outer world, then I suggest this experience.

Genisus Holland , student at George Mason University, and advocate for rights of Black girls

Publishers Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

INSTANT HELP, the Clock Logo, and NEW HARBINGER are trademarks of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Copyright 2021 by Faye Belgrave, Angela Patton, Ivy Belgrave

Instant Help Books

An imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

5674 Shattuck Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

www.newharbinger.com

Cover design by Amy Shoup

Acquired by Jennye Garibaldi

Edited by Karen Schader

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Belgrave, Faye Z., author. | Patton, Angela, author. | Belgrave, Ivy, author.

Title: Finding her voice : how Black girls in White spaces can speak up and live their truth / Faye Belgrave, Angela Patton, Ivy Belgrave.

Description: Oakland, CA : Instant Help Books, [2021]

Identifiers: LCCN 2021006587 | ISBN 9781684037407 (trade paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: African American teenage girls--Juvenile literature. | African American teenage girls--Social conditions--Juvenile literature. | Self-esteem in adolescence--United States--Juvenile literature. | Microaggressions--United States--Juvenile literature. | Racism--United States--Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC E185.86 .B37793 2021 | DDC 305.235/20896073--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021006587

This book is dedicated to all the Black girls who inspired us to write this workbook and all the Black women on the front lines of supporting Black girls.

Contents

dear brilliant black girl

Yes, you! Can I tell you something? I was backstage at the White House nervously reading over my opening speech. My heart was beating so loudly I was sure that everyone could hear it. As my legs shook in my favorite pink heels, a friend texted me the encouraging words of Maya Angelou paraphrased from the poem Our Grandmothers. I read: I come as one, but I stand as 10,000.

Have you ever entered a space and felt your heart quicken as you saw not one person who looked like you? Maybe you have felt like you were being judged unfairly because of the color of your skin. Have you thought to yourself, Will people even listen to all the important things I have to say? I have. The truth isI still feel nervous before big events!

When I read I come as one, but I stand as 10,000, I remember my ancestors, especially the Black women, and all those who have supported me throughout my life. Each Brilliant Black Girl descends from a long line of powerful Black women. They stand with us. Brilliant Black Girl, there are people around you who want to support you as you live out your dreams! Always remember that wherever you go, you are never alone. One definition of brilliant refers to colorit means shining, radiant. Trust and know that your unique gifts and talents brighten every space you enter.

President Barack H. Obama appointed me to serve as Assistant Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. I was responsible for leading #AfAmWomenLead, an initiative launched to affirm and celebrate the brilliance of Black girls while working to address the needs of Black girls, in both policy and practice. Nearly 1,000 Black girls and hundreds of stakeholders and caring adults attended AfAmWomenLead summits. It was an honor to provide a platform for Black girl genius!