Has anyone watched The Secret? If you haven’t, it’s a self-help type of documentary. Creating a vision or inspiration board was an easy takeaway. The purpose of an inspiration board is to keep you focused on your goals. The idea is that what you think about is what the universe responds to. I’ve recently found inspiration from Mareena Robinson Snowden, Tarana Burke, and Amandla Stenberg.

Mareena is the first black womxn to earn a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from MIT. She’s fantastic! Black Lives Matter? Uh, yes! You’ll find her supporting that movement. She is intelligent, hardworking, and is unapologetically black. What’s even better is that she talks about how she wasn’t sure a field in STEM was for her; but building confidence, having her father’s support, and trying new things brought her to nuclear engineering. This womxn reinforces that black is professional. 

I had such a memorable and awe-inspiring opportunity while I was a student at Iowa State University. I attended a lecture and met Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement. I left the auditorium feeling hopefully and understood. Do you want to make something happen? Do it. She was asked, “what comes next for the movement?” Her answer was YOU. Instead of tearing each other down, we need to support and love each other. This movement is for everyone.

AMANDLA. This womxn declined a role in the Black Panther, so one of her darker-skinned sisters could take the lead. PREACH! How many other actresses would do that? She is an activist and is proud of who she is. She explores the power and beauty that is blackness. I haven’t read her comic book yet, but it’s a must.

All these womxn have one thing in common. They worked for what they wanted; they help others and are unapologetic. I know that I can take after them.

*Honorable mentions:  Michelle Obama, Zoë Kravitz, Gabrielle Union, Natalie Portman, and Reese Whitherspoon*

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