On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, Women’s Fund was proud to present a conversation with Tamara Winfrey-Harris, celebrated author, Women’s Fund Advisory Board member, and Vice President of Community Leadership & Effective Philanthropy at CICF, on her second published book Dear Black Girl: Letters from your Sisters on Stepping into Your Power. This book is refreshing and authentic and includes vulnerable and insightful letters from Black women to Black girls wrapped in Tamara’s honest analysis of what it means to be a Black girl in our world.

The conversation included a compelling and thoughtful discussion with Renée D. Alston, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, and DeShong Perry-Smitherman, Eli Lilly and Company, IN. Both wrote letters that are included in the book.

This compelling conversation centered on three key takeaways for our participants:

IT’S OKAY TO BE VULNERABLE.

With Tamara’s preface and epilogue alongside DeShong and Renée’s incredibly powerful letters, our panelists dove into their different yet shared experiences about vulnerability. Black women always have to be “on” and are criticized much harsher than their white female counterparts. Our panelists want young Black girls to know you are so much bigger than your worst mistake and life truly is your oyster. Sharing and learning about each other’s experience, especially Black woman to Black girl, helps remind you how much love and support you have, even when you can’t see it.

THIS BOOK PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR BLACK WOMEN TO TELL THEIR STORIES THROUGH THEIR LENS AND LIFE EXPERIENCES—WHICH IS CRUCIAL.

In the time of racial justice and “wokeness,” many Black people have their stories told for them, with minimal input. These letters are written by Black women and are directed at young Black girls to inspire them, show them how resilient their sisters are, and truly showcases Black Girl Magic like never before. The hope of our panelists is that Black women and girls, whether they are 15 or 50, know they are not alone and are part of an incredible coalition of women who are compassionate, caring and resilient. Embrace it and love it unconditionally.

THIS BOOK IS FOR BLACK MEN, WHITE MEN, WHITE WOMEN—EVERYONE. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BLACK WOMAN AND EVERY EXPERIENCE THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.

Each letter is written with an openness and honesty that fully showcases the range of experiences, good and bad, that Black women have. It is not possible for people to truly be allies for equity and inclusion without understanding the Black experience, especially the experiences of Black women. In order to advocate in a meaningful way, space must be made for Black women to share their stories.

We highly recommend purchasing Dear Black Girl: Letters from your Sisters on Stepping into Your Power. Here are some Black-owned businesses you can support when you purchase:

  • Charis Books & More (the oldest feminist bookstore in the South)

  • Source BookSellers LLC

  • Ujamaa Community Bookstore

  • Brain Lair Books

Enjoy this recording of our conversation with Tamara, Deshong and Renée, and thank you to all who attended.

ABOUT OUR PANELISTS:

Tamara Winfrey-Harris serves CICF as vice president of community leadership and effective philanthropy, overseeing grantmaking, donor services, community leadership, scholarships, and research and impact. She joined CICF in 2016 as vice president of marketing and communications. Tamara is a nationally renowned writer and speaker, focusing on issues of race and gender and their intersection with politics, popular culture and current events.

Renée D. Alston, better known as Jewelznyc, is a journalist, host, and Executive Producer of Droppin’ Jewelz Radio, a radio show vested in showcasing the aspects of Black culture from activism to the arts and prides itself on thought provoking content and interviews told in our voice, through our lens. The show can be heard every Friday night at 9 pm on WKCR 89.9 FM which broadcasts live in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, along with all major podcast streaming platforms.

DeShong Perry-Smitherman is a strategic communications pro and Emmy award winning producer and champion for nosiness – with sector experience in pharma, energy and media. She currently works as a communications leader for Eli Lilly and Company. DeShong is the co-founder of A Girl’s Gift, Inc., a nonprofit that teaches girls to be entrepreneurs. She earned a Bachelors degree from Roosevelt University, a Masters from the University of Illinois and a certificate in Media Management from Northwestern University. She is a wife and mom of three outstanding humans! You can catch #StrongDeShong in the middle of any Peloton leaderboard. She invites new friends to join her in a ride!