Black Girls Rock!: Owning Our Magic. Rocking Our Truth. by Beverly Bond

Black Girls Rock!: Owning Our Magic. Rocking Our Truth. Reviews

• 
  Tiffany Tyler

  Every black girl and woman should read this book. Oh, and black men/boys should also get a copy because they “sometimes” forget the magic that we possess and need a reminder. I highlighted a ton of passages, but this right here is my absolute favorite:
  
  “It can be hard, but when we view our unique perspective as a competitive advantage instead of an obstacle, the world notices and follows suit. Do not be afraid to be different, to be authentic, to be black, or to be female. Own it. Relish it. Doubling down on everything that makes me different from others in this space is what has opened the most doors for me. Never underestimate Black Girl Magic.”
  ~~~ Black Girls Rock! Owning Our Magic. Rocking Our Truth.
• 
  Andre

  An absolutely wonderful edition of Black women rocking and owning their magic. A bevy of essays coupled with beautiful photographs from women representing various elements of the culture. Music, Art, Literature, Sports, and Politics. The representation is varied but ultimately the collective voices become one powerful scream of empowerment and overcoming any obstacles that may have a hold on you.
  
  All the essays are inspirational and push towards reaching the greatest that is the birthright bequeathed to women through the struggle of their forebears. It is amazing to hear from some of these women that we often admire from afar. These brief sharings help to bring them closer to their admirers. This books is destined to make a great gift for women and girls. If one fails to find inspiration in these pages then check your heart, you may have a blockage. Beverly Bond is the boss behind the Black Girls Rock movement and this book.
  
  Kudos to her for recognizing the need to rock the magic that Black women have been baring since time immemorial. One of the features I like about this book was the inclusion of historical figures through the her story brief outlines. Women who have an impact but are no longer here to speak up, get highlights. Nina Simone, Audre Lorde, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and others get this treatment.Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for an advanced ebook. Book will drop on Mar. 13,2018. Better plan early because this one will fly off the shelve.
• 
  Christina

  This is a sacred book and should come with a warning label. To read the full review and see an interview of Beverly Bond on The Breakfast Club,
  CLICK HERE.
• 
  Laura

  It is very important to have representation in literature, in books, on TV, in the movies. It is very important that children can see that there are "people like me" that have done great things.
  
  If you don't know that there are others like you, in life, in history, how can you know what has come before, and what you can do?
  
  This book is a collection of essays, of speeches given, by women of color, by black women who are alive today, as well as short pieces on black women who have come before.
  
  Yes, we all know who Sojourner Truth was, or I hope we do, and we certainly know who Harriet Tubman was, but how often are we taught about Zora Neal Hurston, when we are taught about the men of the Harlem Renaissance.
  
  What I love about this collection is how varied the women in this volume are. We of course, begin with Michelle Obama, but we have Angela Davis, and Maxine Waters, Joy-Ann Reid, and Toshi Reagon.
  
  This is a great collection. What a wonderful thing Beverly Bond did to create the Black Girls Rock Awards in 2006.
  
  Highly recommended for schools and libraries as well as personal collections.
  
  Thanks to NetGalley for making this book available for an honest review.
• 
  Cortney

  “I knew my tribe was there supporting me, holding my wings up even on days I didn’t feel like flying.”
  
  All the Stars. All the feels. So quotable. Brought me to tears. Made me smile. Laughed out loud.
  
  So much goodness it’s hard to pick my favorite essay but if I had to it would be “Bent, Not Broken” by April Holmes.
  
  Some other favs were: Misty Copeland, Lisa Jackson, Luvvie Ajayi, Dr. Knatokie Ford, and Danai Gurira
• 
  Never Without a Book

  “Black women are occupying spaces that we didn’t before, and celebrating ourselves unapologetically,”
  - Beverly Bond
  
  Women of Color owning their magic and rocking their truth. The title says it all, Black Girls Rock!
• 
  Ashley

  This book needs to be on everyone’s shelf, especially young women of color. Everyone needs a hero, someone they can look up to, and this book offers that to women that don’t always get to see themselves portrayed in media or hear about the success of women of color. This book offers women a chance to gain confidence and motivation, and I can’t imagine how inspiring this would have been if I had read it in high school or college.
  
  The book is a physical representation of the Black Girls Rock! organization created by Beverly Bond, the editor of the book, and compiles essays about the stories of black females in the past and present that have made a difference in their lives and the lives of other women. The book is broken down into categories, such as Feminists, Entrepreneurs, political activists, artists, and so many more, but, truthfully, every person featured in this book embodies all of these characteristics.
  
  Everyone from Beyonce, Issa Rae, and Mary J. Blige tells their story in this book. But there are also women I knew nothing about like Lisa Jackson, the VP of Environmental Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple Inc. and Knotaki Ford, a senior policy advisor for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Obama Administration.
  
  This book is much like the nonfiction book Hidden Figures because it brings to light the achievements of so many black women that don’t get the recognition and notoriety they deserve. This book is a celebration of the strength, drive, magic, and uniqueness of black females.
  
  When I first started reading this book, I was afraid that the stories would become repetitive because they’re all about black empowerment, but I was completely wrong. Each woman brings her uniqueness to the story, and I felt a genuine connection to each of their wins and losses. The only fault that I can find with this book is that it isn’t enough. When I finished each essay, I was craving more about that each female and I wanted to hear the rest of their stories.
  
  This book was fantastic, motivating, inspiring, and beautiful; I’ve already pre-ordered a copy for myself and several for the most important females in my life.
  
  I will be publishing a full video review on my YouTube channel, Downright Bookish, next week.
• 
  Vnunez-Ms_luv2read

  AMAZING!!!! This book has the correct title. If you didnt know that Black Girls Rock, you will after reading this book. The variety of women that particpated in this book was beyond amazing. Some I knew, some i did not,but one thing was universal, I enjoyed reading their thoughts on being a Black Girl/Woman. A must read for all. It is so heart-warming to have a book I can give my neices that will show them the grace and beauty of Black Girls/Women. Thank you to the author for this outstanding book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, the particpants, the publisher for the ARC of this exceptional book in return for my honest review.
• 
  Literary Jewels

  
  From the award-winning entrepreneur, culture leader, and creator of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! movement , readers are introduced to an inspiring and beautiful book that pays tribute to the achievements and contributions of black women around the world.
  
  Beverly Bond has tastefully and carefully placed this motivational and inspirational stories from major heavyweights like Michelle Obama, Beyonce,Serena, Lupita Nyong’o, Iyanla Vanzant and so many more that thoroughly reinforce Black Girl Magic. These testimonies will leave you charged up and most importantly...EMPOWERED!
  #GetCaughtReading BLACK GIRLS ROCK! today and I promise you that you will not regret it. This book is the perfect coffee table conversation piece.
  I give this body of work 5 stars and wish I could give it more. This was the epitome of style in grace in written word...All this #blackgirlmagic!
  
  Reviewed by Kisha Green for Literary Jewels
  Format: Hardcover
  Review Copy Supplied By Publisher
• 
  Dre

  I am amazed by all the #blackgirlmagic that fills the pages of Black Girls Rock! From founder of “Black Girls Rock” Beverly Bond to the likes of Shonda Rhimes, Janelle Monae, Joan Morgan, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Iyanla Vanzant, this book is filled with captivating black women.
  
  The essays and the beautiful photography highlight ways in which each woman featured serves as a shining example of Black Girls Who Rock. I swelled with pride as I read about how these different women share their service, creativity, and influence to the culture. This book is a celebration of greatness in black women and I absolutely love it! I will be sharing beautiful physical copies to my daughter, nieces, sister, and other young women in my family.
  
  Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of Black Girls Rock in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Britt

  ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
  Here is a book I believe everyone should read, especially girls and especially black girls.
  This book is so inspiring! It is just black women talking about what they are doing and what they have achieved and how the road to their success hasn't been so smooth. I also loved the photos that were provided. I was familiar with some of the women, with others I was not at all. However, it was fun to get to know all these inspiring, successful black women.
  Moreover, it goes over important historical black women who definitely need to get more attention in sections called "herstory".
  
  Thus, I definitely recommend this book if you want to be inspired.
• 
  Naeemah Huggins

  Nothing very special, just black women being extraordinary as usual. I'm just supporting the culture with my purchase. I like hearing some background about my heroes Issa Rae, Ava Duvernay, Misty Copeland etc but its nothing you couldn't read in their respective books. Its 60 super condensed stories of black girl magic.
• 
  Krystal

  Although this book was not even written for me, I was able to find abundant joy in this authentic celebration of diverse black womanhood, so I am thrilled to recommend this gem to one and all!
• 
  Akosua Pinaman

  Love! Love! Loved it! So much truths which triumph borders and every single black woman can identify with regardless of which part of earth you are, void of the stereotypical narration.
  This is definitely for keeps.
• 
  Abbi

  I loved everything about this book. EVERYTHING! I was familiar with some of the women featured but there were also many that I was not; and I loved reading about all of them. This amazing collection of essays written in the words of Black women that are out here being a living example of excellence and perseverance is so incredibly inspiring and encouraging. Every woman that identifies herself as Black needs a copy of Beverly Bond's book, Black Girls Rock! in their home. It will push you to tap into that mind-blowing magic that we posess.
• 
  Jeanette Blain

  Black Girls Rock! is a stunning collection of essays (with photos) by black women from all walks of life. The book is full of hope, power, and inspiration. I enjoyed reading this.
  
  Disclosure: I received an E-ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.
  
• 
  Kimberley

  I received an ARC of Black Girls Rock via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
  

  “If you want in somewhere, you are going to have to make your own door: you make the frame, you put the knob on it. There’s no way on God’s earth we would get anything done if we waited for “the Man” to open doors for us. And when that door opens for you, you shine brighter than anyone else has ever shone. All the while, you have to understand this: none of us got here alone. Your ancestors are your battery—Judith Jamison”

  
  Quotes like the one above flow like water in this beautiful book. From its cover to its content, there is nothing but greatness and magic to be found.
  
  If ever there were a must-have manual of black excellence, in the female form, this is it.
  
  Beverly Bond reached out to some of the country’s most successful black women, and asked them to drop some knowledge ...and they obliged.
  
  The book is filled with women from every corner and discipline: business, music, entertainment, academia, literary, etc.
  
  Some of the names you’ll know, while others are on the rise.
  
  All had something worthwhile to say and I often found myself silently passing an “Amen” in their direction.
  
  This is a book for everyone, and should be on the shelf of every mother in America--both black and white—because of the way it displays the force of a woman empowered is everything.
  
  I most definitely plan to add this one to my personal bookshelf, and will be gifting a few as well.
• 
  Roberta

  Black Girls Rock!
  
  I am unsure if there are enough adjectives in any language to describe how awesome this book was. All the time while reading it I felt like page by page I was surrounded by beautiful, strong, and unique black women cheering me on and telling me to ‘go head go head go head’!
  I could not have read this book at a better time! So much so that I believe it was predestined!
  This book was so yummy that I felt like I had taken a trip to my favorite ice cream place Cold Stones (minus the calories) and got to have a taste of every flavor and topping! Represented in the book was a spectrum of black women. You found within the pages flavorful hues, diverse talents and skillsets, a variety of styles and tastes, unhinged perspectives, and an abundance of sundry backgrounds and upbringings all within black culture. I loved to see how diverse our people are and just be able to take a moment and relish in it and be proud to be a part of such a wonderful tribe.
  Black women have a rhythm and a resilience and through telling our individual stories we encourage one another to embrace our journeys both individually and collectively. And that is why we rock!
• 
  Angelique

  I found this book to be exceptionally informative. There were so many women featured that I had never heard of. I'm actually planning on making this my first table book. I don't believe in having a book on the table just because, but this is a book that should be in every black person's home. It will inspire our daughters to become exactly who they want to be. The different career paths and testimonies remove the fear of being limited because of their gender or ethnicity. This book will inspire our young men to treasure the jewel that the Black Girl is by exemplifying that greatness is in our DNA no matter where life begins for us. Hopefully it will discourage the disrespect that is prevalent in populist music, as well as compel them to be their best selves for the women in their lives.
• 
  Ama Darkoa A-D

  I listened to the audio book version of Black Girls Rock and it felt as though I was there,I was being spoken to directly.
  The stories of great black women such as Audrey Lorde,Maya Angelou,Nina B.Simone,Harriet Tubman,Nana Yaa Asantewaa,Sojourner Truth,Ruby Bridges,etc was beautiful, black and bold!
  Those excerpts from the Black Girls Rock Awards Night by Michelle Obama,Rihanna,Ava DuVernay was so awesome.
  And every other poem,essay,story in this sacred book is so essential for all women especially women of colour.
  I read the actual book too and the images of the women attached made it extra beautiful.
  this is an IMPORTANT BOOK for EVERY BLACK WOMAN and GIRL.
  
  I definitely recommend it to you.
  So this is to great strong black women;
  May we know them,
  May we be them,
  May we raise them!
• 
  Leigh

  I really really enjoyed this book- I listened to the audio version, but I think this is one I want to have a physical copy of to make notes. It's hard listening to a book and trying to make notes at the same time is tough :).
  
  Some of my favorite essays::
  Lupita Nyong'o
  Maxine Waters
  Michelle Obama
  Mary J. Blige
  Afya Ibomu (What you eat becomes you)
  
  Ultimately, what this book boils down to is a collection of inspiration. There are Black women from every walk of life, from one extreme to the other, showcasing their stories to empower Black girls and women. I found many felt relatable, as a woman. This is one I will be recommending to our students and adults alike.
• 
  Ms. Woc Reader

  This book is an amazing collection of stories and inspiring speeches from beautiful and successful black women. I often put this down and picked it back up again while highlighting and bookmarking. Some of these women have experienced the same struggles that I experienced whether it be not liking how my hair looks or feeling different than my white peers due to my dark skin. I hope those who read this find the message clear: Black Girls are Magic and no matter how hard we fall we too will rise.
• 
  Diva Dina

  Black Girls Rock is broken into 9 sections that focuses on Black women who have made a difference in the arts, sciences, technology, finance, business. These women prove in their own way that Black Girls Rock and put their own definition on the phrase. Some of the women are familiar such as award winning actress and now director Regina King or award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o while others are introduced to us such as biomedical scientist Dr. Knatokie Ford and celebrity chef Afya Ibomu. However, the stories all resonate loud and clear: Black Girls Rock!
• 
  AUDIOBOOKIN MY AZZ OFF

  The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! 15-year Anniversary Gala headlined by the incomparable Chaka Khan and featuring GRAMMY-nominated singers Alice Smith and Mumu Fresh, hip-hop icon MC Lyte, esteemed actress Tatyana Ali, DC’s own Bela Dona Band, gospel sensation Tasha Cobbs Leonard, celebrity DJ Aktive, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Phil Collen of Def Leppard, and appearances by acclaimed actor Wood Harris, Estelle, and more. The anniversary gala is sponsored by Microsoft and Ford.
  
  https://www.facebook.com/BLACKGIRLSRO...
• 
  Tasheika L.

  What a Phenomenal, Inspirational, Uplifting masterpiece of black women and their success stories. I really enjoyed all the women show cased in this book. I have been trying to read this book since last year did not have the time but how on time it was for me to read it now especially the type of climate the world is in right now especially centered around black women. I highly recommend this book!
• 
  Feborah Dixon

  This book came to me a the perfect time. I was in great need of remembering who I was, embracing my power and openly giving and receiving the magic. Not only did I finish this book full of pride for all of these women and their stories, I took their journeys into myself, gathered the advice and affirmations, lifted my head and quietly, very quietly; ROARED.