10 Motivational Mantras From Michelle Obama
There is something so regal, yet authentic, about our forever First Lady Michelle Obama. Even in a room filled with more than 20,000 people, her energy is electric and contagious, and her words are positively piercing and powerful. As a black woman, I am blessed to say this was more than true for me during my recent experience at the "I Am Becoming" tour in Atlanta, Georgia.
If I've learned anything from Michelle Obama, her book, and now her tour, I am embracing the fact that I am becoming the best version of myself.
My past and present is molding me into the future woman I'm becoming…through faith in God and the woman that God created me to be.
There is no way I can possibly duplicate the Michelle Obama experience, and honestly, I'm still trying to take it all in. However, if you love positive affirmations like I do, then hopefully you will be empowered and encouraged by some of the insights that were shared from none other than Michelle Obama.
"Believe in the validity of who you are and have the courage to share your story."
Part of why we love Michelle Obama so much is because she's so honest about who she is and where she's been. We see ourselves when we see Michelle. That's why it's so important to be authentically you and embrace who you are. Your story matters – to you and to others like you. Trust and believe there is someone out there waiting to hear your story.
"We (minorities) have been told 'these things aren't for you,’ but we have to push through the negative images they have of us…Don’t listen to them.”
Ignore the dream killers and let your Black Girl Magic shine. "Trust your dopeness" and believe that you are more than capable and equipped to do what you were created to do. Like they say, "You're gonna get this Black Girl Magic today!"
"It's up to me to establish and define my voice."
Don't allow anyone else to define your voice. During the Obama presidency, there were so many people and entities – including the media – who tried to tell us who Michelle Obama was, but ultimately she defined her own narrative. She told her story and didn't let those voices silence hers. Now, more than ever, she is one of the most powerful voices in the world. How will you define your voice?
"If you're always running and doing things, you miss the times to celebrate yourself and show gratitude."
GiphyWhen was the last time you took a moment and celebrated your accomplishments? Sometimes we become so obsessed with planning for tomorrow that we miss the blessing of today. Sis, I know you have a lot more that you want to do, but don't forget to take the time to celebrate how much you've already achieved.
“If they want the power, then they want us to not want it. The White House was just another table that others thought I didn’t belong at.”
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They've been telling us for decades that we don't belong and we can't have a seat at the table, but we do belong and our voices will be heard. Michelle Obama, along with so many others, have made that clear. Let Michelle Obama serve as inspiration considering the fact that she's been in a lot of powerful rooms and she's gone to a lot of powerful places. If they still don't give you a seat at the table, then make your own.
“A lot of times, people make decisions based on the limited information they have. They decide for you what you should reach for. I had to listen to the truth of who I was.”
Michelle shared so many stories about some of her past counselors and advisors who discouraged her because of their limited view of who she was as a black woman. She easily recalled all of those "no's" and everyone who tried to tell her what she could and couldn't do, and her response was simply, "I'll show you." Hence, let that be your response to your naysayers – "I'll show you." Don't allow other people's stereotypes, and their limited knowledge of you, keep you in a box.
“Going low is a sign of weakness.”
It's not always easy to take the high road when they go low. However, for Michelle and Barack, they realized that their reactions and their legacy were more important and bigger than other people's desire for immediate gratification. Remember, what you say today can impact what others say about you later on.
"Don't sit in isolation with your problems."
GiphySis, you are not alone. Seek wisdom from those around you because many of us, as women, go through similar situations especially when it comes to life and love. Nobody's life is perfect and nobody's relationship is perfect. May we be inspired to be more transparent not only about the success, but about our stories and struggles as well.
“Our words can lift a child up or cut them down.”
Words matter, and as Michelle reminded us "we owe it to our young people to be better." May our words ignite young people's dreams and passions, and encourage them to embrace and become who they desire to be.
“The simple things and pleasures – love, stability, consistency, honesty, kindness, values…sometimes we forget that’s the truth.”
At the end of the day, it's the simple things that bring about happiness. A happy life is less about financial gain, fame, or fortune; rather, it's about what we do with the gift of life that we've been given.
May every woman reading this be inspired to continue on the journey to becoming the best version of yourself. There will be people will try to tell you who you should be, what you should do, or even what you can't do, but like Michelle told us, "don't listen to them!" Even though people may underestimate you, God can upgrade you.
Featured image by Getty Images
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Shonda Brown White is a bestselling author, blogger, life coach, and brand strategist. When she's not jumping out of a plane or zip lining, she's living the married life with her husband in Atlanta, GA. Connect with her on social @ShondaBWhite and her empowering real talk on her blog.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy