The Pillars
The journey of evolving into a writer and building Letters From A Young Black woman has been marked by excitement, fulfillment, growth, and acceptance. While I’m appreciative of every emotion I’ve felt in the past couple of years, these are concepts that could characterize many endeavors. As I embarked on the curation of content for this special Anniversary month, I wanted to set the tone for many years to come.
Here I present to you an outline of the crucial elements – pillars of Letters From A Young Black Woman. The pillars that my first posts were inspired by. The ones that will help construct many stories to come.
Establishing Letters From A Young Black Woman meant that vulnerability and I would have to get quite familiar.
If I was going to make the impact I sought, I knew I’d have to get comfortable with sharing pieces hidden deep inside. The parts that, at one point or another, I wish I could erase
With every post, like “Dear Allie”, I offer my audience a gift but, I do myself a service. I work through some of the most hurtful experiences and release the pressure they hold on me.
Letters From A Young Black Woman would simply be a collection of motivational social media posts without my life stories and experiences.
Being only 21 years old, I was nervous that I’d run out of topics to discuss. Let me tell you, I’ve barely touched my draft section. This life has had so much to offer me. Good and bad. Therefore, with every passing day, I have a little more to offer my audience.
As a Black girl who’s lived in a diverse environment, my unique perspective allows me to relate to a variety of people. I hope to offer a space of relatability to the women who look like me. On the other hand, I want to bridge the gap created by supporting the fact that we’re all human.
My stories will always be aimed at offering comfort and inspiration to Black women. As I continue to share, I hope to connect with other groups and showcase the value that Black women offer. Along with that, I want to display the enrichment created when different people come together.
I selected this pillar because it applies to every member of the community that I’m creating.
On my part, I had to choose to fully dive into an identity that I shielded. I had to commit to creating and growing a brand amid a busy college schedule. To create value for my readers, I had to commit to exploring myself and new adventures.
As for my readers, they have to commit to opening themselves to new perspectives. Of course, Black women share commonalities, but we don’t lead identical lives or hold the same beliefs.
Further, they have to prepare themselves to be exposed to their problem areas. So much of my writing centers around the journey of growth. I seek to help others with their reflection and remedies. With that, consuming my words takes a commitment to bettering yourself or at least considering it.
The Bluest Eye had to be written by Toni Morrison and not Charlotte Bronte, and All About Love would sound different outside of bell hook's perspective. Similar to these amazing writers, my writing is uniquely mine.
Romantic in nature, filled with emotion, and a little funny at times (but that’s my opinion).
My writing has always been a reflection of how I think and feel.
Even the look and feel of all the visuals would be different from another creator's ideation. All creatives take inspiration from their environment, their own liking, their priorities, and their personalities.
Aside from my personal flare, I’ve begun to recognize my ability to spark something in others.
I’ll never forget when my mama told me her co-worker found reassurance for her child because of my letter, “Dear Anxiety”. That anecdote, in conjunction with many other kind compliments, leaves me confident enough to say I make a strong impression.
It’s a trait I accept humbly, but state proudly.
Creative Director/Writer: Allie Davis
Photographer: Dayjah Chmielewski
February 3, 2024
Visual Story