B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. Popcorn is here!

From day one, I have heard nothing but encouraging words from all of the leaders and volunteers.  I Am Beautiful really makes you feel like you are special and that what you have to say is important.

At every meeting, you are greeted with a smile and a big hug.  I also like that we end each meeting with a prayer and more words of encouragement.

One of the most memorable moments for me would be going to volunteer to sing with the elderly men and women in Grayson for the Christmas holiday.  I also loved going to visit Clemson University (although my mom graduated from the University of SC).  Lastly, it was such a great experience to participate in filming a video.  That was awesome.

I would encourage any young lady who is looking for a program that uplifts you, believes in you and is willing to expose you to what the world has to offer, to join I Am Beautiful.

I want to thank Dr. Woodard for seeing the greatness in us by starting this program.  I would also like to thank my mom for enrolling me because she saw what it would do for me.

I look forward to next year.  Thank you.

I have learned that you can be you no matter what other people say about you. Just don’t mind them and move on in life. “I Am Beautiful” means that I get to learn how to be a young lady. At IAB, I play and talk with other girls. Also, I’ve learned to be strong in life and to truly know we are beautiful inside and out.

I Am BEAUTIFUL

by Kamile Sabali

“It feels good to be loved by someone sometimes, but it’s far more important that we love ourselves.”

I once was told I was too passionate

I was told I was a mother and I couldn’t just do this and I couldn’t just do that

I was also told, “You don’t understand, some people actually live their dreams”

I was told this because 

I apparently wasn’t one of those people who do that

But they are 

and that’s why they were 

always too busy

Obviously forgetting that my dreams were consistently shot down 

like ducks with plastic grey 

and orange guns

Not supported

I once was told I was beautiful 

And I was kissed with the passion that sparked my passion 

that later became too much to fathom

Eventually those kisses became less 

And the looks that used to sparkle 

from the vision of beauty that was reflecting became dull 

as the shimmer from the sparkle dimmed

the looks became glances 

then nods without true acknowledgment

My concept of self beauty 
was following the path 

of the empty head nods 

that eventually ceased to exist at all

And I questioned my self worth 

I silenced my voice 

I questioned myself before I spoke up 

And I chose my words 

carefully when I did 

Yet, it still was too much 

Because I must have 

had an ulterior motive 

I couldn’t have just 

been trying to be “better” 

Which is what I was thinking

So, I gave up on all of that together

Maybe I need to refocus 

on my physical beauty 

I must have let myself go 

After all, I was trying to be natural 

I was told that I proved I could be powerful 

but when would I get my doobie back

So I slapped on the white creamy crack

And I straightened all of my curls

In a fresh silk wrap 

I covered my face with Dior makeup

The most expensive I could get 

because it was supposed to be flawless

and I glossed my lips 

with a shimmery peach

Perhaps to attract back the kiss 

that ceased exist 

and my freckles were covered with blush 

Still it wasn’t enough

I only kind of felt beautiful

Maybe

Besides my teeth still had a gap

And my stomach still had this roll

And these love handles were obviously

not love handles 

because they weren’t 

really being handled 

So I decided to hit the gym

And even when I lost weight 

and was ultra slim 

that sparkle completely dimmed

Then I finally realized 

It wasn’t me 

It was him 

Our ideas of beauty weren’t the same 

And that was okay 

It feels good to be loved 

by somebody 

Sometimes

but it’s far more important 

to love ourselves 

So I completely stripped myself down

Literally cutting all the chemicals 

from my hair 

welcoming back my tiny little curls 

my strays, my grays 

and my tiny baby hairs

I let my freckles breath 

And I let my body eat

But most importantly 

I let the fire in all of my passion

Speak 

through my voice 

I saw my beauty the way 

It was meant for me to see it 

I finally began to live my dreams

because, I AM one of those people

who do that

and my passion 

is too beautifully passionate not to

How often do we allow someone 

to silence 

Our self worth

And what does it take

for us to hold on to it

What does it take

It takes us to be 

Brave 

Energetic

Assertive

Unique

Tenacious 

Important 

Fabulous 

Unequaled 

Loved 

Loved by our selves

And that is when we can truly say

I AM BEAUTIFUL

“I Am Beautiful means being able to be confident in myself and what I want to do and accomplish in life. I Am Beautiful has taught me to love my body, my flaws, and to embrace every part of my culture proudly. Lastly, it means to be Beautiful, Energetic, Assertive, Unique, Tenacious, Important, Fabulous, Unequaled, and Loved.”

Abena is one of our current program members. Abena has fearlessly discovered that she can conquer any industry and achieve her career goals. She now embraces her physical being and shares what she’s learned with other young girls. Abena is just one of our BRAVE new leaders.

In the spirit of Women’s History Month, I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L., Inc. would like share HER story as part of our B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. 9 initiative. During the month of March, we will profile nine statements and stories of past and current program participants. These accounts align with who and what we are: Brave Energetic Assertive Unique Tenacious Important Fabulous Unequaled Loved. It is our belief that by promoting these qualities through structured programs, our girls and young women will learn to discover their true potential and embrace their inner strength and greatness.

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. Words

BRAVE – Abena’s Story