Affirmations Are Not Cute — They’re Revolutionary

Let’s talk truth, sis.

You live in a world that was never designed to see you, honor you, or love you.

A world built on systems and ideologies that distrust you, misuse you, and will cheerfully take every ounce of your brilliance while pretending they can’t pronounce your name in the boardroom.

And yet — here you are.

Thriving in places you were never “supposed” to be.

Building what they said was impossible.

Loving yourself in ways your grandmother may not have been allowed to.

That’s not an accident. That’s power.

But here’s the thing: that power doesn’t sustain itself.

Because every day, this world tries to chip away at it — through microaggressions, erasure, stereotypes, and relentless pressure to carry more than your share.

And that’s where affirmations come in.

The Power of “I Am”

If you’ve listened to my Behind the Magic podcast, you know I always start with this question: “Tell me who you are starting with the words, ‘I am…’?”

Why? Because those two words carry enormous weight.

“I am” is not just a grammatical choice — it’s a declaration.

Whatever comes next shapes how you see yourself and how the world will meet you.

When my guests answer, they’re not just listing job titles or roles. They’re speaking their truth into existence. They’re saying, “This is who I am, and this is how I choose to be seen.”

The same is true for affirmations.

When you say I am powerful, you are not asking for permission — you are stating a fact.

When you say I am enough, you are actively dismantling every voice that ever told you otherwise.

Affirmations Are More Than Pretty Words

Some people treat affirmations like cute captions for Instagram or sticky notes with pastel hearts.

For us? Affirmations are armor.

They are truth-telling tools that push back against the narrative that says we are “less than.”

Every affirmation is a refusal.

A refusal to shrink.

A refusal to forget your magic.

A refusal to let the world define your worth.

Why You Must Be the One to Affirm You

We’ve all been taught to wait for the pat on the back, the title, the external validation to confirm our value. But sis, the truth is simple: if you wait for the world to affirm you, you’ll be waiting forever.

We have to be the ones who say to ourselves and to each other:

🖤 I am seen.

🖤 I am brilliant.

🖤 I am worthy of love, rest, and joy.

Because sometimes the only applause you’ll get will be the sound of your own hands.

And that’s okay.

How to Practice Self-Affirmation as Resistance

1. Make it personal — Don’t just repeat generic quotes. Speak to your soul’s specific needs.

2. Say it out loud — Your voice has power. Let your ears hear your truth.

3. Tie it to action — Affirmations without aligned action are just wishes. Move in the direction your words point you toward.

4. Share it with a sister — When we affirm each other, we multiply the impact.

Here’s Your Invitation

Today, I want you to choose one “I am” statement that speaks to the Black woman you are — and the Black woman you are becoming. Say it every time doubt creeps in.

Mine today? I am my own rescue.

Because the truth is, no matter what this world throws at us, Black women have always found a way to rise. And we always will.

🖤 Say it. Believe it. Live it.

✨ 10 “I Am” Statements Every Black Woman Leader Should Keep in Her Pocket

1. I am enough exactly as I am.

   No additions, no explanations, no proving required.

2. I am worthy of rest, joy, and ease.

   Rest is not earned — it is your birthright.

3. I am powerful beyond measure.

   Not in spite of my identity, but because of it.

4. I am the author of my own story.

   No system, stereotype, or title defines me.

5. I am unshakably present.

   Even in rooms not built for me, my voice belongs.

6. I am my ancestors’ wildest dream.

   Every step I take honors those who came before me.

7. I am not for everyone — and that’s a gift.

   My brilliance does not require universal approval.

8. I am a leader who leads with authenticity and grace.

   Titles don’t make me a leader. My truth does.

9. I am my own rescue.

   I will not wait for validation or permission to shine.

10. I am limitless.

    My possibilities stretch further than the boxes they try to put me in.

✨ Pro tip: Say one of these to yourself before walking into a meeting, interview, or hard conversation. Speak it like a prayer, like a promise, like a declaration.

Because every “I am” is not just a statement — it’s a reclamation.

Be well. sis!