Dear Black Girls - by A'Ja Wilson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"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' and 'too 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 this: 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"

Book Synopsis

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"Through honest stories and inspiring lessons from her life, A'ja Wilson reminds us to never doubt who we are or apologize for being true to ourselves. Dear Black Girls is a must-read for every Black girl out there." ―Gabrielle Union

This one is for all the girls with an apostrophe in their names.

This is for all the girls who are labeled "too loud" and "too 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.

Despite gold medals, WNBA championships, and a list of accolades, A'ja 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, A'ja 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 this, about how even when life tried to hold her down, it didn't stop her. She shares her contribution to "The Talk," and how to keep fighting, all while igniting strength, passion, and joy. Dear Black Girls is a necessary and meaningful exploration of what it means to be a Black woman in America today--and a rallying cry to lift up women and girls everywhere.

"​D​ear Black Girls is filled with phenomenal stories and empowering insight on what it means to be a woman in today's world. I didn't want to put it down." ―Tunde Oyeneyin, New York Times bestselling author of Speak

Review Quotes

"​D​ear Black Girls is filled with phenomenal stories and empowering insight on what it means to be a woman in today's world. I didn't want to put it down."
―Tunde Oyeneyin, New York Times bestselling author of Speak

"Through honest stories and inspiring lessons from her life, A'ja Wilson reminds us to never doubt who we are or apologize for being true to ourselves. Dear Black Girls is a must-read for every Black girl out there."
―Gabrielle Union, New York Times bestselling author of We're Going to Need More Wine and You Got Anything Stronger?

"After reading Dear Black Girls, I needed a moment to compose myself. Never has a book so perfectly captured my attention and made me feel so seen. I highly recommend this book!"
―Zaila Avant-garde, Winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Two Times Guinness World Records Holder, and New York Times bestselling author

"Watching A'ja Wilson on the court is amazing, but to know her life story and all that she has overcome is witnessing poetry in motion. She epitomizes resilience, determination and courage. A'ja embodies the true spirit of what it means to be inspiring, always pushing herself and others to be the best version of themselves. It's a joy and an honor to see her book and know her story and how this will impact all women."
―Dawn Staley, American basketball Hall of Fame player and coach

"The author's refusal to sugar coat the oppression that Black people feel is matched only by her faith in readers' abilities to best the centuries-old obstacles America continues to shove in their way. Wilson fills this joyful, profound, and tender book with a slew of stories... artfully narrated and perfectly pitched. Most impressive is her narrative voice, which is humorous, conversational, lyrical, and unique." ―Kirkus, starred review

"[Wilson] becomes a beacon of hope for all who face adversity. Her book is a powerful and crucial call to support women and girls worldwide and a source of encouragement for everyone seeking to embrace their authentic self and overcome obstacles." ―Booklist

"Las Vegas Aces star Wilson, two-time winner of the WNBA's MVP award, debuts with a down-to-earth meditation on the complexities of Black girlhood." ―Publishers Weekly

About the Author

A'ja Wilson is a professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces. The two-time MVP is the face of the WNBA and the Aces, one of the industry's hottest franchises. She and the USA Women's National Team won gold at the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, Tokyo Olympics, and 2018 FIBA World Cup. Off the court, A'ja has built the A'ja Wilson Foundation, which serves as a resource for children who struggle with dyslexia and empowers them to reach their full potential. A'ja currently resides in Las Vegas. Dear Black Girls is her first book.