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Rooted in Love: The Power of Self-Love for Black People

2/28/2025

Self-love gets talked about a lot, but for Brown and Black folx, it’s a whole different game. It’s not just about feeling good—it’s about unlearning all the messages telling us we’re not enough. It’s about pushing back against stereotypes, embracing our culture, and knowing our worth, even when the world tries to say otherwise.
Let’s be real—society hasn’t exactly made it easy for us to love ourselves. From weird microaggressions about our hair to being overlooked in professional spaces, we’ve had to work twice as hard to build confidence. But here’s the thing: we don’t need anyone’s permission to love ourselves. We deserve to take up space, to thrive, and to celebrate who we are. So, let’s get into some real, practical ways to practice self-love in everyday life.

Hype Yourself Up Every Day The way you talk to yourself matters. Start your day with affirmations like "I am enough," "My culture is my power," and "I deserve success." If saying them out loud feels awkward, write them on sticky notes and put them somewhere you’ll see them. Such as your mirror, laptop, or phone screen. Need some guidance? Apps like Liberate and Shine offer affirmations and meditations made specifically for people of color.
Self-Care That Actually Feels Good Forget the one-size-fits-all self-care advice, do what actually makes you feel good. Maybe that’s listening to music that hypes you up, cooking a meal from your culture, or just taking a break from social media. The Nap Ministry (www.thenapministry.com) is a great reminder that rest is not just self-care, it's a form of resistance.
Finding Your People Having a Solid Support System is everything. Whether it’s a family, a group chat with friends who just get it, or an online space made for us, being surrounded by people who uplift you makes all the difference. Therapy for Black Girls (www.therapyforblackgirls.com) is a great resource for mental wellness, and platforms like Ethel’s Club offer virtual spaces for community and growth.

Support Black-Owned Businesses That Prioritize Self-Love If you want to take your self-care game up a notch, support businesses that are all about our well-being:

Embrace Yoga DC (embraceyogadc.com) – A yoga studio focused on mindfulness and wellness for people of color.
The Black Girl Magic Store (theblackgirlmagicstore.com) – Offers journals, affirmation cards, and self-care kits made for Black women and femmes.
Calabash Tea & Tonic (calabashtea.com) – A tea shop blending African and Caribbean traditions to create herbal teas perfect for relaxation.

At the end of the day, self-love isn’t just about feeling good, it’s about showing up for yourself, embracing your culture, and knowing your worth. Start where you are, do what feels right, and remember: you deserve to take up space, to rest, to heal, and to thrive.

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The History of Wellness in the Black Community: A Journey of Resilience and Empowerment

2/10/2025

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Bintia Bah, ITAVCollab Spring Intern

Trinity University, Public Health

When most of us think about wellness, we often picture the latest fitness trends, the perfect smoothie, or the newest self-care ritual. But for the Black community, wellness has always been about more than just keeping fit; it's been about survival, resistance, and reclaiming health in a world that hasn’t always had their best interests at heart. Let’s dive into the history of wellness in the Black community, and how it has shaped the way they approach health today.

Healing from the Roots: Herbal Remedies and Natural Medicine
Long before modern medicine and healthcare became widely accessible, Black people were already practicing self-care out of necessity. During the slavery era, access to doctors or medical professionals was rare for Black people, so they turned to nature for healing. They used herbal remedies, passed down through generations, to treat everything from common ailments to more serious conditions. These healing practices weren’t just about staying physically healthy they were an act of resistance, a way of surviving in a world that saw them as expendable.
Herbalism became a vital part of Black culture and wellness during this time, with plants and natural remedies becoming key to maintaining good health. These practices, deeply rooted in African traditions, are still being rediscovered and embraced today, forming the foundation of a modern wellness movement in Black communities.

Wellness as a Human Right:
The Civil Rights Movement and Healthcare Access
As the Civil Rights Movement fought for racial equality, wellness evolved into something even bigger than just individual health. It became a civil rights issue. The Black Panther Party, in particular, played a major role in shifting the conversation about health. The Party launched free health clinics in underserved communities, providing essential healthcare to those who were excluded from mainstream medical services.
These clinics weren’t just about treating sickness; they were about empowerment. The Black Panthers understood that health was directly tied to justice, and that access to healthcare was a fundamental human right. They recognized that wellness meant more than just physical health; it was about social and political power, too. Their community clinics provided vital healthcare while also challenging the system that left so many Black people without care.

Reclaiming Wellness: The Modern Movement
Fast forward to today, and Black wellness has taken on new forms while staying true to its roots. The focus is shifting toward holistic health, which combines physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. More and more Black people are turning to plant-based diets, focusing on mental health, and even embracing ancient practices like meditation, yoga, and spiritual healing.
But it’s not all about embracing the latest wellness trends. Many are also working to address the health disparities that still disproportionately affect Black communities like higher rates of chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as the ongoing stigma surrounding mental health. For many, wellness is no longer just about looking good, it's about survival, self-care, and taking back control over their own health.

Wellness as Resistance: A Right, Not a Privilege
Wellness in the Black community has always been about more than just physical fitness or eating well it’s about fighting for health justice and challenging a system that hasn’t always been equitable. From herbal remedies passed down through generations to the activism of the Civil Rights Movement, wellness has been a tool for empowerment, resilience, and resistance.
Today, Black people are continuing to reclaim their health, not just as a personal pursuit but as a collective right. Wellness has become a form of activism fighting for equal access to healthcare, mental well-being, and a healthier future for the next generation.
So, the next time you think about wellness, remember that it’s more than just a buzzword. It’s about justice, equity, and the power to take control of one’s health in a world that has often denied that power.
Audre Lorde famously said, "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." - Audre Lorde

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Rooted in Love: The Power of Self-Love for Black People

The History of Wellness in the Black Community: A Journey of Resilience and Empowerment

Bintia Bah, ITAVCollab Spring Intern

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Rooted in Love: The Power of Self-Love for Black People

The History of Wellness in the Black Community: A Journey of Resilience and Empowerment

Bintia Bah, ITAVCollab Spring Intern

AuthorS

Archives

Categories

Connect with us.

Village Voices