They tell me that there is nothing more breathtakingly stunning than a confident, ready woman as she emerges through the corridors of time, speaking, sashaying, and living in the light. Nothing more intoxicating than the aromatic scent of certitude floating from a sister hitting her stride, with dignity, poise, and grace. And nothing more powerful than a woman who is swagged out in character, clothed in class, and adorned in the finery of all of her woman-self.

She may be 26 or 62, 35 or 53, 47 or 74, or the tender age of 18 growing into her woman-ness or a refined 81 showing off the timelessness of classic beauty. And while none of us have a monopoly on the “it” factor, all of us have the opportunity to be just that thing, that person, that entity, that woman’s woman, that proverbial high five, that resonates from breast-to-breast, giving respect and honor to herself and to all of our sisters. For we are intergenerational kindred spirits, calling to, knowing, acknowledging, and lifting one another up.

On January 20,2021 when Vice President Kamala Harris stepped out onto that victory inaugural stage wearing her pearls, every Black woman and girl felt the power and the magic of “that” moment in them. Every woman and girl embraced the joy, glory, and strength of our collective experience of from coming through to being at. We took photos and posted them all over social media. We smiled, we beamed, we laughed, we cried, we shouted, we rejoiced, and we clutched our strands of pearls as we saw ourselves reflected in the presence of her accomplishment. I was so moved by the significance of this occasion; I gifted my granddaughter with her first and very own pearl necklace so that she could remember and commemorate the specialness of a time such as this. Sealed with a kiss and a prayer.

Looking back at a photo of myself on that day with my pearls draped around my neck, I am still filled with a special pride, and I smile. But ultimately, I realize that it is so so much more than that picturesque historical event. So much more than a bunch of pretty, white beads laying just so, across my breast, enhancing the look of my outfit, and making me fashionable for a day. The legacy and meaning of Me and My Pearls is more than just a time to celebrate this remarkable moment without being and bringing the weight and worth of my pearls and that day into the subsequent tomorrows of my life.

Me and My Pearls is a testimony of my understanding of who I am given to be,

And evidence of my right to life, liberty, and the pursuit and attainment of all good things.

It is a symbol of my worthiness to grace the halls of freedom and justice,

And with unapologetic authority, walk the corridors of self-defined and proclaimed personal and professional achievement.

Me and My Pearls is an observance of and an ovation to the entirety of my womanhood, womanliness, femininity, and female self,

And a salute to the strive in my strut, the perseverance in my prance, the determination in my dance, and the fearless fierceness in my footsteps.

It is a witness to my willingness and ability to stand strong, courageous, boldly, and bravely against the adversities that life will most certainly bring

And it is my permission to kick ass on an as needed basis