ESSENCE gathered nine of our favorite actresses to talk about why they love being a Black woman. In t-shirts, jeans and fierce heels, these sisters shared why they are comfortable in their own skin. Ledisi loved the concept so much, she dedicated an exclusive song to the project, “Real Woman,” that summed up the feeling, inspiration and reality

 

Chrisette Michele: “When I look at my lips, I would like to kiss myself. While other women try to inject serums in their lips, we have a natural Botox and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Our lips are perfectly fantastic.”

Kelly Rowland: “We love with everything- our heart, soul, mind.”

Lisa Wu-Hartwell: “We’re resilient. We make the impossible possible. Just think about Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman. Black women always set new rules.”

Tia Mowry: “We are ride or die chicks for our men.”

Tamera Mowry: “My booty is small but round enough to sit something on.”

Tichina Arnold: “When a black woman cuts her eyes at you, it means that was your last chance and no one can help you because you’ve used up all your lifelines.”

Tamala Jones: “We can cook up an entire meal for $20 and make it look like it cost $100.”

Wendy Raquel Robinson: “We have our own vernacular, colloquialism and flavor that sets us apart. Plus we come in so many different hues and have so many different hair textures. We’re phenomenal.”