A’ja Wilson just dropped the ultimate guide to unapologetic Black girl magic. The WNBA superstar’s new book, Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You, isn’t just a memoir; it’s a blueprint for authenticity, a hug from your big sis, and a halftime pep talk rolled into one. And honestly? It’s the cultural reset we didn’t know we needed.
With Dear Black Girls, published by Flatiron Books through Macmillan Publishers, A’ja does more than recount her rise from Columbia, South Carolina, to becoming one of women’s basketball’s most celebrated figures. She weaves in deeply personal reflections on race, identity, and self-worth, shaping the book into an inspiring guide for Black women and girls navigating a world that often tries to box them in.
Much like her game-winning shots, Wilson’s words carry weight. The book is a series of powerful essays, each offering hard-earned wisdom, humor, and raw honesty. It’s as if she’s sitting across from her readers, sharing lessons she’s learned through triumph and adversity.
One of the most striking moments in Dear Black Girls is Wilson’s reflection on the unveiling of her statue at the University of South Carolina, an honor that was both deeply personal and historically significant.
“In bronze. On that campus. Forever. The same campus that my own grandmother couldn’t even set foot on during segregation. Had to walk around it when she was running her errands around town,” Wilson writes. The symbolism is undeniable. In that moment, Wilson wasn’t just a WNBA superstar; she was a testament to progress, perseverance, and the power of Black excellence.
In her essay, A’ja recounted her experiences as a Black girl and woman, feeling neglected and alone. For instance, she described an incident from her fourth-grade year at a mostly white school in South Carolina, where she was told she would have to remain outside during a classmate’s birthday celebration because the girl’s father harbored prejudices against Black individuals.
Wilson’s tone isn’t preachy; it’s porch-talk real. Each chapter reads like a heartfelt DM from your most insightful friend.
The book developed from her impactful 2020 essay of the same name, “Dear Black Girls,” which appeared in The Players’ Tribune. The essay was released during the COVID-19 pandemic as the movement for racial justice gained momentum following the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. During that summer’s WNBA “wubble,” A’ja and the league highlighted the cases of Taylor and other Black women and girls who lost their lives to police violence.
Though it may appear to be targeted solely at teenagers, “Dear Black Girls” can also serve as an excellent resource for young adults.
P.S. Dear A’ja: We’ll take a volume two, please. Sincerely, Every Black Girl.
