The State of Black Girls: A Go-To Guide for Creating Safe Space for Black Girls

by Marline Francois-Madden

There is so much pain in life that is undeniable. Pain from abuse, mental health stigma, trauma, and heartbreak can come from so many places in life. There is no denying the things you face are not only real, but are oppressive. Self-esteem, depression, failed friendships, grief, anxiety, domestic violence, and heartbreak all take their toll on the lives they impact, but there are answers to help you win in life.The State of Black Girls is a non-fiction piece whose aim is to empower young black girls in the face of the obstacles that stand before them each day. This book offers perspectives, activities, and prompts that can help you to know what factors are at play in life and in society, and how to navigate them with poise and success. It is crucial to understand what the terms are for success, why they are that way, and how best to turn the tides in your favor. Coping skills, self-care, affirmations, goal-setting and more are the tools you will incorporate into your strategy in life that will give you that power. The world is better with you in it and there is much for you here. Read The State of Black Girls today and find out what lies within you today because every Black Girl Matter.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Social Work

126 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2019

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

For younger Black girls, I wanted to give this book a read as I’m the mother of a young Black girl. Though her experiences will be similar to mine, I know that things are so different for Black girls today than they were for me. This book is such a great resource for parents raising Black girls. I also see it a great fit in libraries, schools, churches and it will be so helpful for those who teach, mentor and celebrate Black girls.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book reminds of my internship days where I wished I had this book. I could have used it to work with some of the black girls(women) that I had helped. I can relate to each chapter (esp.anxious brain) and love the resources. As a spring social worker, this book helped me look at myself when I was a teen and to the adult me. I would have loved a book like this as a teen growing up. I just loved the Black affirmation section. What a beautiful way to uplift our community of women. Thank you, Marline for being an inspiration for us black girls.

[Carmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The State of Black Girls is a fairly unintimidating book that would have interesting to read in high school. I wouldn't recommend that teenagers (or most people) read this book alone without someone on the other end to process with. The language is simple, but the content can be intense and/or triggering.

[Joycelyn Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every black and brown girl needs to read this book, it's short and sweet but speaks directly to the challenges that we face.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guidance for raising girls of color through puberty and the era of social media.

[Brittany Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For teens but helpful for adults also