Day 12 of #28LoveLettersToBlackWomen: Jazmine Sullivan

This Black History Month, I’m sharing art, songs, movies, and other creative expressions from and about Black women that spark joy for me.  Because Black women are often not remembered for their contributions, I thought this would be one way to give flowers to those who inspire me.

For Day 12, I’m sharing one of my favorite songs about self-worth from singer Jazmine Sullivan. 

Photo of Jazmine Sullivan singing while wearing a black fedora and grey suit; photo by https://www.flickr.com/photos/monstershaq2000/, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons 

Originally from Philly (#FlyEaglesFly), Jazmine Sullivan is a Grammy winner, with four albums under her belt.

While she’s well known for songs like “Girl Like Me,” “Lions, Tigers, & Bears,” or “Bust Your Windows" (which even Stevie Wonder thinks is a CLASSIC!), my favorite Jazmine Sullivan song is Masterpiece (Mona Lisa). In the song, Jazmine sings about coming to the realization of her own powerful beauty. As someone who is still working to unlearn messages I received about playing small and not taking up space, this song feels like an instruction manual for self-liberation.

“My eyes ain't used to these rays

I'm feeling exposed, but I hide no more

I can't hide

As the sun shines on all of my glory

My flaws don't look so bad at all

What was I so afraid of?”

Thank you, Jazmine Sullivan for reminding us we are all divine masterpieces.

#28LoveLetterstoBlackWomen #BlackHistoryMonth2025 #Day12