Beverly Bond’s opening is personal, empowering, and believable. Her choice to include these particular black women’s voices reaffirms her exhortation to “Listen! Listen to OUR stories.” Not all of the segments are narrated by their original authors, but they’re powerful nonetheless. The audiobook begins with an introduction by Michelle Obama filled with elation and oomph! It’s as if your big sister is revving you up for what’s to come. The diverse narrations are presented in tones of resilience, perseverance, and self-worth. The women, who represent entertainers, scientists, models, athletes, inventors, and more, share their voices as a reminder that anything is possible in a world that may say it is impossible. This compilation of personal moments affirms the truth that these black girls do indeed rock. T.E.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

What Bond has created is a resource for black girls and women alike to look to and find inspiration from in a world that has historically ignored, and undervalued them. In celebrating women, Bond celebrates diversity, individuality, and a world-wide sisterhood.

Beverly Bond’s opening is personal, empowering, and believable. Her choice to include these particular black women’s voices reaffirms her exhortation to “Listen! Listen to OUR stories.” Not all of the segments are narrated by their original authors, but they’re powerful nonetheless. The audiobook begins with an introduction by Michelle Obama filled with elation and oomph! It’s as if your big sister is revving you up for what’s to come. The diverse narrations are presented in tones of resilience, perseverance, and self-worth. The women, who represent entertainers, scientists, models, athletes, inventors, and more, share their voices as a reminder that anything is possible in a world that may say it is impossible. This compilation of personal moments affirms the truth that these black girls do indeed rock. T.E.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

2017-12-05
An entrepreneur and two-time NAACP Image Award winner profiles successful black women from across the globe working in all fields of endeavor.In 2006, Bond founded BLACK GIRLS ROCK! to empower young black girls and women and celebrate their achievements. The movement arose from the author's personal history of struggle in a white-dominated world that denigrated black females for everything from the way they looked to what they said and did. Meant to serve as a companion to that movement, this book gathers interviews, editorials, personal essays, and photos that spotlight more than 60 influential black women including Michelle Obama, Rebecca Walker, Serena Williams, and Janelle Monáe. Each of the nine sections celebrates different aspects of what Bond calls "Black Girl Magic": "a power and energy rooted in black ancestral traditions, spirituality, and sacred feminine wisdom." The book opens with a declaration from Michelle Obama that "the secret to everything in life…is education." Building on the former first lady's sentiments, Walker emphasizes the need for black women to help others envision a "more pluralistic, intersectional, and reciprocal in its justice-seeking" women's movement. To develop the fortitude that is at the heart of all success, tennis champion Serena Williams speaks of the need for black girls to engage in competitive sports to build "confidence…self-awareness and pride." But as Monáe suggests, it is also important for black girls and women to be in "full control of [their] magic and how [they] choose to use it." To live true to one's identity—rather than society's ideas about that identity—is the ultimate necessity and freedom. Rich in collective wisdom, Bond's book is aimed primarily at a black female audience, but the courage, grace, passion, and intelligence that characterize each of the separate narratives are sure to motivate any woman seeking to succeed in a (white) man's world.An inspiring collection.