Love Letters to Black Women in Academia

Dear beloved, Be as generous and loving to yourself as you are to others. You are worthy. You are loved.

Dear Black Women in Academia, Your brilliance is a force that can't be contained. Amidst the lectures, publications, and faculty meetings, your authenticity and strength shine through. You're not just making waves in your field; you're creating a legacy for others to follow. I see you. I appreciate you. I celebrate you. Keep being the trailblazer you are, lighting up the academic world with your unique light. With admiration and love, Dr. Sheva Guy (she/her)

When you awoke this morning, you were enough. When you lay your head down after giving the day all you could, you’ve done enough. It is never acceptable for you to be subjected to a work environment lacking psychological safety, endorsing of workplace bullying and downplaying your worth. You deserve the best that God can bestow on you in this lifetime, so when it comes, know it’s deserved. And one incident of the aforementioned behavior is enough for you to decide it’s enough to change your environment. Be your own kind of beautiful. Build your own legacy. I see, adore and appreciate you.

Thank you. Thank you for the dedication that it took to get where you are. Thank you for the energy it takes to be a role model. You get a concrete example to those who have similar skin tone or share your gender. But but you’re also an inspiration for those of us who are different in other ways. Thank you for being true to yourself. May your path be blessed and you find the space for self-care. - an old white (gay) guy

I am in awe of my Black sisters, and folks, and part of me screams in frustration that I "am even in awe." Because y'all have been, are, and will be, beings that have been through an outstanding amount of trauma and yet you shine. And yet you show up. And yet you role model what "doing better," in that deep, soul-full work looks like. When I worked for a university in South Dakota, I saw the ripple effects of fake smiles on the outside and the lack of work on the inside. Honestly, we all know it's pervasive throughout the region: the battle of ethics, values, and moving forward vs. staying rooted in whiteness and oppression. I have more to share, which may never be good enough, but woman to woman, being to being, I see you. I'll continue to unpack my own racism and beliefs, that you shouldn't have to... Knowing (and yet, not knowing) the battles you face every day, in your work and day-to-day living and breathing, please know I've got my own ancient torch and will stand with you as we build a new world. Bright blessings on you in all ethers, all dimensions, and in every step of your journey~ Virginia James

Look at yourself today in the mirror and say, I'm a miracle! Because you are! Your work, effort, and heart ARE appreciated. Take care of yourself!

Dear black women, We see you. We see how hard you work - and how hard you have to work. You deserve your seat at this table. You also deserve a system that treats you better, and you deserve our support to make that system a reality. The academy needs your perspectives and contributions, maybe now more than ever, so please don’t give up - but also, know that your health is more important than any specific role, and if a workplace is toxic you can choose to take your talents elsewhere. But mostly, please know that you are seen, you are supported, and you are valued.

I see you, you are strong AF, but I wish you didn’t have to be. You are bold AF, and I am so glad that you are. You are exciting and fearless, and the words that come out of your mouth course over me like a river and I hear them for what they are. TRUTH. I love you for sharing your truth, and for being the beacon of light that guides me into sisterhood, boldness, and community. I learn from you. Thank you, I will spend the rest of my life continuing to give back, redistribute, support, and love, and it will not ever come close to what you give. Black women are beautiful and I love you.

Dear phenomenal force, You are at the forefront of a wave. A wave ushering in the next generation of young, black, gifted, and free humans. The space you take and the space you make for other young ladies wondering if they could too, is among the most important legacies you will leave. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize. Set goals for YOU and follow them even when other don’t understand your path. You are so valued. You are so appreciated. You are so necessary. Thank you,

Honestly, you are the best. Simply, truthfully, truly. THE. BEST. You are a modern day hero and the world is a better place because you are in it. Thank you for being you and for allowing those who are told they shouldn't, to dream.

Dear sistas Let me start by acknowledging that for way too long — centuries — everyone's been counting on you, but nobody's been making sure you count. You have saved humanity from ourselves innumerable times, by many and varied ways and means. Some of us wish to, and need to let you know that we see and hear you. That we agonise over the pain the world inflicts on you. We owe you debts that can never be fully repaid. But the least we can do is let you know that we know this, and have got your back. Respecting, protecting and believing Black women is the starting point. But having your back isn't enough. We need to extend grace and gratitude too. This brotha is committed to doing this. To letting you and the world know that I stand with Black women. Not just the ones I agree with, or who are appealing in whatever ways, or not disruptive, but all of you. I shall strive to be there for you, the way sistas have been there for us.

Thank you for being a light for those you encounter. Your voice, your life, your work, and you are worthy and appreciated. May God bless you for all you do and give you the strength to care for yourself as you continue to share your light. Ameen! Thank you!! Nanah

Dear brilliant Black women in academia who deserve support and rest (which is every single Black woman in academia), Thank you for your work. Thank you for being you. Thank you for making a difference in the world of your students and colleagues. Thank you for keeping going. It should NOT be so hard. You deserve support. You deserve your colleagues and your institution having your back. Period. YOU. DESERVE. REST. Please know that there are folx you don't even know working for a world in which Black women including you just get to show up and be your wildly brilliant and wonderful selves and also be fully human and have off days. Because you deserve that kind of world. Because the world URGENTLY needs your brilliance and you getting to focus on your actual work without wasting time and energy and getting worn down by all the nonsense. A better world is coming. We need you. You deserve rest. Right this very minute, if you can. THANK YOU.

To the amazing Black women in academia doing health research. I am sorry you are still the only one and I am frustrated that you are still facing bias from students and your colleagues. And I know you are struggling to care for family members too. But your passion for disparities work, your dedication to advancing your careers, and your insight and expertise are inspirational. It's ok to say no to committee work. And if you need help getting NIH grants to give you more freedom and funds, please reach out. It's hard to shine bright without burning out, so please take care of you first.

You matter. You deserve to be here.

Dear Black Woman, I hope this letter finds you embracing the enduring love, support, and solidarity that resides within you amidst your journey. I want you to understand that I truly see and hear you, and I stand beside you as you navigate the path towards self-love. You are an extraordinary individual, demonstrating remarkable resilience, and deserving of opportunities and recognition that flow effortlessly, gently, and without obstruction. If you were unaware, let me assure you that we need you, Black Woman. However, never forget that you possess a fundamental need for yourself, too. Embrace self-care practices, seek solace in your community, and surround yourself with individuals who uplift you and empower you, those who elevate your spirit. Your mental, emotional, and physical well-being are your most precious treasures. Please recognize that your presence and contributions in this world are immeasurable. Your brilliance, resilience, and unwavering determination continuously break down the doors that should have been open long ago. I love you, Black Woman. Why? Because I, too, am a Black Woman. With all my love and support, Amanda

My Dear Esteemed Sister,

Your presence and achievements in Academia stand as a testament to the strength and brilliance of Black women. Your journey, marked by resilience in the face of challenges, inspires and uplifts those around you. Yet, in the midst of all your trailblazing, remember that it's okay to rest. Prioritizing yourself, embracing moments of tranquility, is not just self-care, but an act of resistance in itself. It's essential to find and cherish spaces where you are celebrated, not merely tolerated. Your work, your struggle, and your well-being are all parts of the same journey. So, as you continue to inspire and lead, remember that stepping back to rejuvenate is as powerful as forging ahead. All my best Beloved.

Sis, I love you. You have done so much, achieved so much, given so much, and I appreciate you for that. I admire and celebrate you. You are my shero. But please know that that's not why I love you. At least not the only reason. I don't love you based on your productivity levels. I love you...just because. Please know that you are loved even when you take off your superwoman cape. Please know that you are loved even when you aren't sharing your intellect with others. You are loved whether or not you are excellent. You are loved even when you're not strong. You are loved for your personality, your laugh, your crown, your beauty, your melanin, your silliness, your joy. You are loved even when you’re not doing something for someone else. You are loved even when you're at rest. You are loved for all the beautiful quirks that make you...you. I hope on the tough days you remember this. I hope you remember that we – your people, your community – need and want you here. I hope you remember how much you're loved. xoxo, Lisa

Dear Black Women in Academia: I am one of you. You are a part of me. When you hurt, I also bleed. We are being attacked for a simple enough reason. They see us as possessing the things that they are missing: heart, compassion, genuine belief in and care for the least of these. Intelligence. Brilliance. Creativity. They envy our grace, our style, our dignified carriage. We are resplendent! They hate the softness of our skin. Our big eyes and toothy grins! Our natural dark beauty. Our full un-Botoxed lips and hips. The womanly curves that we do not attempt to hide. The deep richness of our voices. The ringing joviality of our belly laughs! Don't let them change you, Black Women of Academic Excellence! Don't let them make you doubt yourself. Not now. Not ever. Don't lighten your skin. Don't "protect" your natural hair. Kinky, coily, or curly: You're a product of the divine Creator's imaginings. The Creator saw you just as intended! So don't attach things to yourself that are not a part of you naturally. Yours is beauty you do not have to buy. Take care of your mental and physical health. Be kind to yourself. Be gentle with yourself. Love yourself fiercely, so you can love others easily. Be big. Be bold. Be beautiful. And always, always be proud of who you are and where you come from, and lift someone else up as you climb. May God grace you all the days of your lives, my Sistas. ~Shelia Antley Counts, PhD

Dear Black Women in Academia, You are vital to the fabric of our collective growth and health. Your relentlessness, your conscientiousness, your compassion, your generosity, your heart, your advocacy, and so much more are poured out sacrificially and consistently to everyone you encounter, partner, coach and support. Know that we see you: staff who lighten up when you join a room, students who are encouraged by you when you hold their hands through their educational journey, research that benefits from your unique perspective that adds depth enlightening previously uncovered mysteries. We appreciate you. There are not words or actions sufficient to demonstrate the priceless value you add to just showing up in any  and every way you do. Most importantly, you deserve health, well-being and healing. Rest. Recharge. Fill your cup. Be both diligent and courageous about not just surviving but thriving. There is another who can pick up the fight while you take time to gain strength. Even if there isn’t another, you will come back stronger, picking up right where you left. Approach constant rejuvenation with the same urgency you champion so many of your other incredible achievements. Be intentional about investing in your well-being. For your sake. Not ours. Because doing it for you is an act of benevolence. Because the void left when you are not here breaks our collective heart. The work is hindered and not complete. In healing yourself, we are all healed. We are rooting for you, believing in you, excited for you, encouraging you, and we are SO proud of you, if you do nothing else. We love you.

Hello Beautiful, You have the freedom to express your emotions. Keep opening doors that were previously closed in your face. I support the unconditional love that you show to others, the hard work you put in, and will always be your biggest cheerleader. Continue to grow, learn, and educate yourself, and know that your village is here for you whenever you need it.

You have everything you need within.  Do not forget, you are created in God's image, and God doesn't make junk!

To Black Women in Academia: You are a crucial part of every student's learning experience, not just for the knowledge you impart and the love of learning you inspire, but for who you are and for the personal experiences that you bring into the classroom. You make each student better; whether that improvement is reflected in a better score or grade, you have made a lasting impression upon the next generation on the importance of diversity.

Dear Sisters in Academia, I just want to let you know how loved you are. Whether you are a tenured professor, visiting professor, adjunct professor, student advisor or student, you are LOVED and NEEDED. The rigor that goes into obtaining a higher education especially in predominantly White institutions should never be slept on. And especially when you are learning or teaching while Black and female or Black and female-presenting. We understand it can be isolating. We understand it can be berating. We understand it can be hostile. In those moments, I hope you pull up these letters and recognize you HAVE community - visible and invisible. There are hordes of Black women you don't even know who are rooting for you. There are numbers of us who are not even BORN yet who will celebrate you when their turn comes, because you did your best to clear the way for them and make it easier. And at the same time, I am asking you to not be our martyrs. Take breaks when you need them. Leave if you need to. Save your own life if the time ever comes where you need to choose you or us. We choose you. I choose YOU. We would rather have you here and fight another day than lose you altogether. We need you whether you choose to remain in academia or not. In closing, in the powerful words of Dr. Thema Bryant, "You're already stardust" Sis. You ain't got shit to prove to anybody. Whatever you choose to do with this life, we got your front, back and side-to-side. Tasha, Natasha Wade, Your Black Women's Soul Coach

Dear wildly brilliant, generous, grounded, joyful, authentic Black woman leader and faculty in academia, Thank you for your incredible brilliance and expertise— hard-won and well-used. Thank you for refusing to gatekeep your knowledge and expertise and instead intentionally bringing to as many humans as possible, within and beyond the academy. Thank you for centering people as whole humans across your whole entire body of work and way of being, from a research agenda that refuses to make people small or their experiences trivial to the way you show up 1:1. Thank you for holding space for—indeed insisting on—complexity, ambiguity, and multiplicity. Thank you for studying things that really matter. Thank you for using your expertise and position and brilliance to make the world better, not just your tenure file even more wildly impressive. Thank you for your joy and your light and your amazing laugh and your willingness to be real and to make space for others to bring their full, whole, messy selves. Thank you for refusing paths carved for others and building your own. Thank you for the powerful clarity and expertise of your voice and your work. Thank you for refusing the nonsense and smallness and quieting. Keep prioritizing what YOU need in order to be able to do your highest, best work. Keep refusing to let the decision of what is truly your highest, best work be made on your behalf or in your name by an institution that only knows how to take, not how to give, celebrate, honor, respect, or let a person rest. Keep glowing. Keep refusing. Keep doing YOU. With love and gratitude.

Love You, sis!