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Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You
From Olympic gold medalist and two-time professional basketball MVP A’ja Wilson comes an inspirational collection on what it means to grow up as a Black girl in America.
This is a book for all the girls with an apostrophe in their name.
This is for all the girls who are “too loud," "aggressive," or “emotional.”
This is for all the girls who are constantly asked, “Oh, what did you do with your hair? That’s new.”
This is for my Black girls.
In this empowering and deeply personal collection―adapted from and expanded upon the piece of the same name in The Players’ Tribune ―WNBA star A’ja Wilson shares stories from her life. Despite gold medals, championships, and a list of accolades, Wilson knows how it feels to be swept under the rug. To not be heard, to not feel seen, to not be taken seriously. As a fourth grader going to a primarily white school in South Carolina, she was told she’d have to stay outside for a classmate’s birthday party. “Huh?” she asked. Because the birthday girl’s father didn’t like Black people.
Wilson tells stories like stories that held her down but didn’t stop her. She shares her contribution to “The Talk,” and how to keep fighting, all while igniting strength, resilience, and passion. Dear Black Girls is one remarkable author’s necessary and meaningful exploration of what it means to be a Black woman in America today―and an of-the-moment rally cry to lift up women and girls everywhere.
This is a book for all the girls with an apostrophe in their name.
This is for all the girls who are “too loud," "aggressive," or “emotional.”
This is for all the girls who are constantly asked, “Oh, what did you do with your hair? That’s new.”
This is for my Black girls.
In this empowering and deeply personal collection―adapted from and expanded upon the piece of the same name in The Players’ Tribune ―WNBA star A’ja Wilson shares stories from her life. Despite gold medals, championships, and a list of accolades, Wilson knows how it feels to be swept under the rug. To not be heard, to not feel seen, to not be taken seriously. As a fourth grader going to a primarily white school in South Carolina, she was told she’d have to stay outside for a classmate’s birthday party. “Huh?” she asked. Because the birthday girl’s father didn’t like Black people.
Wilson tells stories like stories that held her down but didn’t stop her. She shares her contribution to “The Talk,” and how to keep fighting, all while igniting strength, resilience, and passion. Dear Black Girls is one remarkable author’s necessary and meaningful exploration of what it means to be a Black woman in America today―and an of-the-moment rally cry to lift up women and girls everywhere.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2024
145 people are currently reading
5050 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 399 reviews
February 12, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
- Reading this felt like a love letter to Black girls everywhere. I wanted to underline and highlight so many parts of this book. When the author wrote “I don’t want to have to be unapologetic for you to hear me. I want to be able to whisper if I feel like it”.. that just HIT.
- I love that this book didn’t read like a self help book or a book that’s all about Aja’s accomplishments. She really so many of her struggles and how she got through them. It was all so relatable! It feels like we’re just getting a peak into her diary entry or like we’re on FaceTime with a friend.
- By the end of this book you’ll feel so seen in this. I loved the length of the book because it’s so bite sized that it was really easy and enjoyable to read. I will definitely be recommending this book to anyone looking to be inspired and feel a little less alone.
- Reading this felt like a love letter to Black girls everywhere. I wanted to underline and highlight so many parts of this book. When the author wrote “I don’t want to have to be unapologetic for you to hear me. I want to be able to whisper if I feel like it”.. that just HIT.
- I love that this book didn’t read like a self help book or a book that’s all about Aja’s accomplishments. She really so many of her struggles and how she got through them. It was all so relatable! It feels like we’re just getting a peak into her diary entry or like we’re on FaceTime with a friend.
- By the end of this book you’ll feel so seen in this. I loved the length of the book because it’s so bite sized that it was really easy and enjoyable to read. I will definitely be recommending this book to anyone looking to be inspired and feel a little less alone.
February 9, 2024
Olympic medalist and two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson’s first book is a love letter to Black girls—a testament to their histories, a tribute to their triumphs, and a celebration of their potential.
Although the essays in Dear Black Girls deal with serious subjects—like racism, grief, ambition, imposter syndrome, and family—A’ja tackles these topics with remarkable warmth, humor, and insight. She writes movingly about the people and places that shaped her, making a tender and compelling case that the girls reading this book can grow up to do incredible things, too. The result is so wise and relatable it feels like a pep talk from an old friend.
Every girl deserves someone who believes in her as fiercely as A’ja believes in the girls she writes for. Dear Black Girls is a book readers will revisit for advice and inspiration again and again.
Although the essays in Dear Black Girls deal with serious subjects—like racism, grief, ambition, imposter syndrome, and family—A’ja tackles these topics with remarkable warmth, humor, and insight. She writes movingly about the people and places that shaped her, making a tender and compelling case that the girls reading this book can grow up to do incredible things, too. The result is so wise and relatable it feels like a pep talk from an old friend.
Every girl deserves someone who believes in her as fiercely as A’ja believes in the girls she writes for. Dear Black Girls is a book readers will revisit for advice and inspiration again and again.
February 10, 2024
I'm a WNBA superfan and the way A'ja Wilson dominates on the court game after game will never cease to impress me.
What equally impresses me is her strength of character. Dear Black Girls is a short, part-memoir, part-motivational work of nonfiction in which she discusses her upbringing, how she overcame being a late bloomer, and ways in which being Black and dyslexic set her apart from her peers at her largely white South Carolina school (where her parents sent her so that her learning needs would be met). A'ja didn't have it easy at many points of her early life and the universe had a lot of lessons in store for her, but she had an amazing support system in her family that helped guide her while giving her the space and grace to make mistakes and learn.
This is a quick read, but an extremely worthwhile one. I can't wait to see you play again soon, A'ja! (BRB, counting down the days until the new W season starts...)
What equally impresses me is her strength of character. Dear Black Girls is a short, part-memoir, part-motivational work of nonfiction in which she discusses her upbringing, how she overcame being a late bloomer, and ways in which being Black and dyslexic set her apart from her peers at her largely white South Carolina school (where her parents sent her so that her learning needs would be met). A'ja didn't have it easy at many points of her early life and the universe had a lot of lessons in store for her, but she had an amazing support system in her family that helped guide her while giving her the space and grace to make mistakes and learn.
This is a quick read, but an extremely worthwhile one. I can't wait to see you play again soon, A'ja! (BRB, counting down the days until the new W season starts...)
December 20, 2023
This book is a must-read love letter to Black girls, but it should be read by more than just Black girls. It should be in the hands of every father, mother, teacher...anybody who cares about the girls in their lives- no matter their race. Yes, it is purposely addressed to Black girls, but there are lessons for everyone between the covers.
I should know. I am about as far from the target audience as one can get: I am a forty-five-year-old White guy. I received this copy as a giveaway prize from Flatiron Books. When I saw this title pop up on the Giveaway section of my Goodreads, I quickly entered. You see, I teach English at an alternative school with lots of Black girls who need a little guidance and a lot of love from their village. Whenever I can find a book that my students can relate to, I try to get it for them.
Flatiron Books is not paying me for this review. A'ja is not giving me tickets or a signed basketball. They are just hoping that I provide an honest review. Here it is: this book is fantastic! I read it in less than one day. Wilson writes this in a conversational tone full of vulnerability and honesty that makes the reader feel like they are already friends with this WNBA superstar. She tells the reader the good alongside what makes her imperfect. That in itself is a lesson to all. Plus, there are some really funny moments that make reading this a joy.
This is not a self-help book. She repeatedly says that it's not a cheat code to life. This book is simply her telling Black girls that she's been where they are, that someone has lived a life similar to theirs and that they will come out of the trials of growing up okay. Furthermore, its main message is that going through life can be tough, and you need to find people who love/care about you to be honest with you and help you.
I want to acknowledge the importance of having a book written by a successful Black woman to Black girls. It is needed. Representation in media matters. If Black girls were the only ones who got something from this book, A'ja would have done the world a blessing. However, I want to restate that there are messages for a much wider audience as well. There is a chapter that I will be using for my dyslexic students. There are even segments that I will be sharing with my 6'10" basketball-playing son because I feel that he can grow from A'ja's story.
One small suggestion for future editions: use a sans-serif font for all those dyslexic people who will be inspired by this book.
I should know. I am about as far from the target audience as one can get: I am a forty-five-year-old White guy. I received this copy as a giveaway prize from Flatiron Books. When I saw this title pop up on the Giveaway section of my Goodreads, I quickly entered. You see, I teach English at an alternative school with lots of Black girls who need a little guidance and a lot of love from their village. Whenever I can find a book that my students can relate to, I try to get it for them.
Flatiron Books is not paying me for this review. A'ja is not giving me tickets or a signed basketball. They are just hoping that I provide an honest review. Here it is: this book is fantastic! I read it in less than one day. Wilson writes this in a conversational tone full of vulnerability and honesty that makes the reader feel like they are already friends with this WNBA superstar. She tells the reader the good alongside what makes her imperfect. That in itself is a lesson to all. Plus, there are some really funny moments that make reading this a joy.
This is not a self-help book. She repeatedly says that it's not a cheat code to life. This book is simply her telling Black girls that she's been where they are, that someone has lived a life similar to theirs and that they will come out of the trials of growing up okay. Furthermore, its main message is that going through life can be tough, and you need to find people who love/care about you to be honest with you and help you.
I want to acknowledge the importance of having a book written by a successful Black woman to Black girls. It is needed. Representation in media matters. If Black girls were the only ones who got something from this book, A'ja would have done the world a blessing. However, I want to restate that there are messages for a much wider audience as well. There is a chapter that I will be using for my dyslexic students. There are even segments that I will be sharing with my 6'10" basketball-playing son because I feel that he can grow from A'ja's story.
One small suggestion for future editions: use a sans-serif font for all those dyslexic people who will be inspired by this book.
July 1, 2024
I mean, I loved her before the book so… now I just love her more! Hearing about her not only her basketball journey but her mental health journey too , her support for dyslexic children plus her strong family bonds. Quick listen/read
October 1, 2023
As an alum of the U of South Carolina library school and proud Gamecock, I was super excited to get an e-galley of A'ja's book from Netgalley. I just finished her book. It's smart, funny and very real. It's written for black girls. Chapter 7 was fantastic. But, I expect a wider demographic to benefit from the lessons in this book. It's so important to know that people we admire for their seemingly easy success and seemingly natural abilities worked really hard for what they have. They have zany stories about important events in their lives just like we do. Chapter 8 specifically is very funny.
Libraries should order multiple copies because this title will always be checked out all over the country, not just in SC and Vegas. A'ja is a good writer. I hope she has a long writing career. I highly recommend this title.
Libraries should order multiple copies because this title will always be checked out all over the country, not just in SC and Vegas. A'ja is a good writer. I hope she has a long writing career. I highly recommend this title.
June 20, 2024
I loved this memoir by WNBA champ A'ja Wilson! I recommend that you listen to the audible, because A'ja narrates it. She's fabulous!
April 4, 2024
First of all, I know nothing about the WNBA! But I’m so happy that A’ja Wilson popped up on my feed one day.
As Black women we don’t get to take breaks or shortcuts, voice our struggles with mental health, or speak out against the racial injustice (without being seen as the angry Black woman, that is). A’ja addresses all of these and more as writes about her struggles with dyslexia, grief, and panic attacks. That alone makes this a must read for Black women. I felt so seen and appreciated. This book truly makes me want to step up in mentoring and teaching young Black girls how to use their voice.
Well done, A’ja!
As Black women we don’t get to take breaks or shortcuts, voice our struggles with mental health, or speak out against the racial injustice (without being seen as the angry Black woman, that is). A’ja addresses all of these and more as writes about her struggles with dyslexia, grief, and panic attacks. That alone makes this a must read for Black women. I felt so seen and appreciated. This book truly makes me want to step up in mentoring and teaching young Black girls how to use their voice.
Well done, A’ja!
January 21, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio arc of Dear Black Girls. I will say that I did go into this thinking that maybe it would point me in the right direction of where I should be in life. A’ja quickly let me know that, that wasn’t it. I would recommend you read this because it is very enlightening. It’s something about know that a 2 times WNBA Champion could have the same experiences as a regular woman like me. I loved her stories about her grandmother and just how supportive her parents were.
July 15, 2025
Lovely collection of essays from an amazing woman!
October 7, 2024
Congratulations to A’ja Wilson for recording the first 1,000 point season in WNBA history!
It has been a great year for women’s sports, especially basketball. I am so impressed with A’ja so I decided to listen to her memoir. I initially I thought it was going to be a bit too juvenile for me, but I ended up really enjoying hearing more of her story. I was surprised to know that she was terrible at basketball when she first started! I am guilty of thinking people who have excelled in certain skills, especially athletically, are just naturally good at them. I’m learning that isn’t the case with most athletes. A’ja worked incredibly hard to get where she is now and it makes this accomplishment that much more meaningful.
This is a short read and I definitely recommend it for your middle school and teenage daughters, especially if they are athletes. Especially if they are black.
It has been a great year for women’s sports, especially basketball. I am so impressed with A’ja so I decided to listen to her memoir. I initially I thought it was going to be a bit too juvenile for me, but I ended up really enjoying hearing more of her story. I was surprised to know that she was terrible at basketball when she first started! I am guilty of thinking people who have excelled in certain skills, especially athletically, are just naturally good at them. I’m learning that isn’t the case with most athletes. A’ja worked incredibly hard to get where she is now and it makes this accomplishment that much more meaningful.
This is a short read and I definitely recommend it for your middle school and teenage daughters, especially if they are athletes. Especially if they are black.
December 12, 2024
I started reading this book because it's going to be covered in a book review group I belong to. At first I didn't think much of it, but as I read on, I realized what it a great book it would be for young girls. I wish there had been something like when I was young - decades ago. Every girl should read this book.
August 13, 2024
LOVE
A’ja is so stinkin lovable! She did an amazing job of infusing her personality into this book. She was honest, funny, and vulnerable as she shared her life lessons. Finding out that she’s the quintessential Awkward Black Girl makes her feel so relatable. She felt so human for someone that normally seems larger than life. What resonated with me the most is the beautiful depiction of her grandmother. I felt her love and her grief. I loved hearing about their bond. This book is great for Black Girls at any step in the journey. She dropped so many gems that will help people regardless of their age. I’m so glad that she decided to open up to us.
A’ja is so stinkin lovable! She did an amazing job of infusing her personality into this book. She was honest, funny, and vulnerable as she shared her life lessons. Finding out that she’s the quintessential Awkward Black Girl makes her feel so relatable. She felt so human for someone that normally seems larger than life. What resonated with me the most is the beautiful depiction of her grandmother. I felt her love and her grief. I loved hearing about their bond. This book is great for Black Girls at any step in the journey. She dropped so many gems that will help people regardless of their age. I’m so glad that she decided to open up to us.
February 22, 2024
This book is such a fast read. I really recommend it for any young woman. It's a series of 10 letters that delve into phones, mental health, racism, friends, side comments, trolls, family, mentors, etc. It's a fast read and relatable.
I didn't even know who A'ja Wilson was when I picked DEAR BLACK GIRLS up, but now I'm a fan!
This book is a real "window into [her life] and not just the curated Instagram squares that serve as our windows."
This is a book about people. It's about life.
I totally recommend it -- I especially think it would be great for classrooms or book clubs!
I didn't even know who A'ja Wilson was when I picked DEAR BLACK GIRLS up, but now I'm a fan!
This book is a real "window into [her life] and not just the curated Instagram squares that serve as our windows."
This is a book about people. It's about life.
I totally recommend it -- I especially think it would be great for classrooms or book clubs!
March 15, 2024
All the stars. I am not the intended audience, far from it. However, I have already bought this book for the HS library and will suggest it as often as I can to all the Black girls. This book is inspiring. The audiobook is perfect.
February 1, 2024
SUCH a feel good book! Highly recommend!
March 14, 2024
For all the black girls, this is a MUST READ 🤎
June 19, 2024
Dear Black Girls
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Memoir
🎶 Gotta Be - Des’ree
One sentence synopsis:
2x WNBA MVP, A’Ja Wilsons’s memoir and advice for black girls.
Book Review:
I am clearly not the intended audience for this book based on the title but I am a South Carolinian who proudly supports A’Ja Wilson. I mean, how can I not read this?!
I thought this memoir was sweet, insightful, and down right delightful and I loved learning more about a famous hometown hero. A’Ja has quickly risen in the ranks over the years of my city’s most successful former residents.
Unless you live under a rock, you know that women’s basketball has been under the microscope a lot this past year. I really enjoyed learning about that culture through the eyes of A’Ja. She beautifully tells her story of how growing up as a black girl in the south impacted who she is in a humbling and funny way.
A’Ja still has a lot of life and way more basketball to play so I’m looking forward to her next book diving deeper. And I can’t wait to watch her win another gold in Paris this summer!
Do you have any hometown hero’s that have “made it” nationally?
Here in Columbia (and surrounding areas), our most notable Hootie and the Blowfish, Craig Melvin, Aziz Ansari, Kristin Davis, Alex English, and of course Dawn Staley.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Memoir
🎶 Gotta Be - Des’ree
One sentence synopsis:
2x WNBA MVP, A’Ja Wilsons’s memoir and advice for black girls.
Book Review:
I am clearly not the intended audience for this book based on the title but I am a South Carolinian who proudly supports A’Ja Wilson. I mean, how can I not read this?!
I thought this memoir was sweet, insightful, and down right delightful and I loved learning more about a famous hometown hero. A’Ja has quickly risen in the ranks over the years of my city’s most successful former residents.
Unless you live under a rock, you know that women’s basketball has been under the microscope a lot this past year. I really enjoyed learning about that culture through the eyes of A’Ja. She beautifully tells her story of how growing up as a black girl in the south impacted who she is in a humbling and funny way.
A’Ja still has a lot of life and way more basketball to play so I’m looking forward to her next book diving deeper. And I can’t wait to watch her win another gold in Paris this summer!
Do you have any hometown hero’s that have “made it” nationally?
Here in Columbia (and surrounding areas), our most notable Hootie and the Blowfish, Craig Melvin, Aziz Ansari, Kristin Davis, Alex English, and of course Dawn Staley.
January 3, 2024
Pub Date: February 06, 2024
Published by: Flatiron Books
192 pages
4 Stars
I received this audiobook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This is one of my favorite players of the WNBA and also of the University of South Carolina. This book is so needed for all the Black girls! I loved how she told her story as love letters. Expressing to the readers that she is not perfect and that she is just like us. I enjoyed the stories about her grandmother and they made me think back about some of my stories about my granny. A’ja lets us know that it's okay to go to therapy and have flaws. This was a very quick read you will enjoy this story.
Published by: Flatiron Books
192 pages
4 Stars
I received this audiobook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This is one of my favorite players of the WNBA and also of the University of South Carolina. This book is so needed for all the Black girls! I loved how she told her story as love letters. Expressing to the readers that she is not perfect and that she is just like us. I enjoyed the stories about her grandmother and they made me think back about some of my stories about my granny. A’ja lets us know that it's okay to go to therapy and have flaws. This was a very quick read you will enjoy this story.
August 9, 2024
A’ja is a class act and icon. Loved this debut.
June 23, 2024
GOAT. GOAT. GOAT. loved this book and how real it was. MVP forreal
February 29, 2024
I’m a big A’ja Wilson fan and even more so after reading this book! Go cocks @Rob @Suz
March 24, 2024
Ok, so let me just start out by saying that I know this book isn’t FOR me. I am not a black girl, but I am a big fan of A’ja Wilson & the Las Vegas Aces. I wanted to buy and read her book to support her, and I’m so glad I did! This book was amazing, and wonderful, and funny, and just all the things. It’s a memoir but also just feels like an inspirational conversation with a friend. A’ja was so real and honest throughout this book and I always appreciate that when someone is talking about their own life. Some people hold back but A’ja did NOT. She talked about her mental health, about her basketball journey, about her family life, and more. Her writing style was so authentic and I appreciated that it was more like she was talking to the audience rather than it just being her telling her story. I know I can NEVER fully understand the black girl experience but seeing things from A’ja’s perspective gave me more clarity than I had before. Thank you A’ja for writing this book and I know you’ll continue to be a bright spot in this world!
February 20, 2024
This book would not have worked for me as a physical copy as I would have obsessed over the writing style (being an English teacher). Luckily, I listened to the audio version. To be honest with you, I did not know of A'ja Wilson. If you were not a Maryland or Mystics player, I paid no attention but Wilson is very interesting. The first chapter was heartbreaking where she was invited to a birthday party but was told she would have to sleep outside (since the birthday girl's father "did not like black people".) Wilson played for the University of South Carolina and won the championship with them. She followed that up by being the number one WNBA draft pick and going to the Las Vegas Aces where she won MVP and the WNBA championship. She also has a gold medal from the Olympics for USA basketball. To make a long story short, she knows quite a bit about perseverance and grit. I found the book to be very interesting and it was nice that she narrated the entire book.
October 9, 2024
Ms. Wilson writes the truth. Honest, vulnerable, funny, inspiring, intelligent, empowering. Written for Black girls, a book most everyone would enjoy, be enlightened, could learn from. Thank you A’ja Wilson for your strength and willingness to share. I look forward to reading your next book.
December 24, 2023
This book is a MUST READ for every Black girl you know!! I love the way A’ja spoke with such candor, it felt so personal like she was just shooting the breeze with me! Loved it!
April 20, 2024
I felt so seen reading this book! I cried. I can relate soooo much to A'ja! a must!
July 9, 2024
I found this book motivating and inspiring and will definitely recommend it to all the 13+ Black girls I know!
June 18, 2025
This audiobook was amazing! Even at my big age, I still needed to hear: this is for all the girls who are “too loud” & “too emotional!” To not being heard, to not being seen, to not be taken seriously. When A’ja explained how she was grieving I felt that so bad, I thought nobody understood. I truly believe every girl & especially black girl should read this!! This book hit home so hard!!
Favorite Quote: “They will hit you with the like doke! They will hit you with the double standard! They will hit you with the outrageous labels & some of them will do it with a smile!”
Favorite Quote: “They will hit you with the like doke! They will hit you with the double standard! They will hit you with the outrageous labels & some of them will do it with a smile!”
February 7, 2025
4.5 stars! This was absolutely adorable. I loved that it didn’t feel like a preachy self help book. Instead, it felt like a relatable conversation or a beautiful love letter to black girls. Highly recommend for black women ages 25 and under, but even those over 25 will smile, laugh and feel seen. Loved this one!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 399 reviews