By Emerald Jamison, Owner of Essence of Life
Growing up, I was told to listen and be quiet. Like many Black women, I internalized the message that we are to be seen and not heard. I see this same pattern in young girls today—and often in their parents as well. We only know what we’ve been taught, and for generations, this has been passed down as if expressing ourselves is an attitude or a sign of disrespect. But we are so much more.
Black women are the most educated group in America, yet we continue to judge ourselves and each other. We’ve been conditioned to believe that our roles are limited to caregivers, teachers, and nurses—valuable roles, but not the full extent of our potential. There is nothing we cannot do. Once, it was illegal for us to learn. Now, we push back against those limitations, rising higher, creating new opportunities for ourselves and our communities. No other group has accomplished what Black women have accomplished despite the obstacles.
Growing up, I didn’t have a model for success—only hard-working women doing their best with what they had. My mother was around but not present. It was my grandmother and aunts, my village, who gave me what I needed. Still, there’s no replacement for a mother. Many of the kids I work with share similar stories, and I want to be part of their village.
As a mental health professional and owner of Essence of Life, my mission is to help others in my community navigate their journeys. Healing starts with recognizing that we are worthy—our voices, our emotions, our dreams all matter. This Women’s History Month, I want Black women to know that our stories are powerful. We are not too loud. We are not too much. We are enough.
It’s time we stop doubting ourselves. It’s time we stop doubting each other.
