Affirmations: A Love Letter to Black Folk

American societal structures were not created with Black people in mind. From mental healthcare to education to the job market, very little space has been opened for the Black diaspora to be nurtured, much less to thrive.

Many of us know intimately the mental and emotional toll it takes to enter a room and see no one else that looks like us; to tone down our Blackness, be bilingual, police ourselves, and suppress our frustrations. Most spaces were not made for us, but Alkeme is.

Alkeme is created specifically for you, for the community. May this space be a reminder that we are magnificent—that we deserve care, love, and attention. May this community, both digital and physical, be a safe and culturally affirming resource. May you know, in the presence of those that share these spaces with you, that you are seen.

In the spirit of these reminders, we have curated some affirmations for you to hold, share, and revisit. These affirmations are for you, wherever you might be in your life and on your wellness journey.

Tips for using these affirmations: Say them to yourself in front of the mirror when you wake up or before you go to bed. Place them on your desk or bedside. Add them to a journal or phone, use them as writing prompts as affirmations continue to stir. One more reminder, we love you.

I am grateful for my ancestors and the seeds they planted for me to be here.

I am the manifestation of Black dreams years in the making.

I am the foundation of Black generational health.

My hair defies gravity; my skin absorbs the sun. I have the power to harness the earth’s beauty.

My silence will not save me; I will always speak my truth.

It is my birthright to live my life with unapologetic joy.

Breaking the cycles of generational trauma will start with me.

I am fierce from every angle and every soft spot.

Expressing myself authentically and honestly is always a worthwhile use of my time.

I am not disposable.

I cherish my wildness.

I am a creative spirit. I will be gentle with myself through free expression and growth.

Vocalizing my limits and vulnerabilities does not make me weak.