Happy Melanin March! It’s Black History Year always! This month, we are celebrating the strength found in our stories and the impact that begins the second you stop waiting for permission to speak. Your voice is not just your own; it carries the weight of every ancestor who came before you and the dreams of every girl coming after. Whether you are standing on a stage or speaking up in a classroom, remember that your voice is a tool for turning pain into power and making your dreams into reality.
The Confidence Toolbox: The Three-Second Rule
The biggest hurdle to speaking is often the rush of nerves the moment you face an audience. Use this simple fix to own the room:
● The Problem: Feeling rushed or nervous when you first begin to talk.
● The Fix: When you reach the front of the room, do not speak immediately.
● The Method: Stand still, make eye contact with three different people, and take a breath for 3 seconds.
● The Result: You will appear as the most confident person in the room before you even utter a word.
Our Ancestral Truth: Different by Design
For centuries, the Black voice was a target for suppression. Every time an ancestor stole a moment to learn to read, preached in secret, or sang a coded song of freedom, they were betting on the power of their voice.
● Reflect on this: When you hesitate to speak because of fear or judgment, remember that your silence is the only thing the colonisers wanted from you.
● The Resistance: Every time you open your mouth to lead, you are living proof of our ancestors’ resistance and resilience.
Practice: Turning Poetry into Power
Don’t worry about sounding “professional” or robotic. The music of your voice is your greatest asset.
● Start Small: Practice with poems rather than speeches to find a safe place to play with your voice.
● Master the Rhythm: Learn how to enunciate hard consonants and shift your octave levels to keep an audience engaged.
● Be Vibrant: Read aloud with exaggerated expression, adding your own “sass,” pauses, and personality.
● The Goal: It is 10x easier to be yourself on stage when you have practised being a vibrant version of yourself at home.
Conclusion: Reclaiming Our History
As we look to the poems of Amanda Gorman, Maya Angelou, and Louise Bennett Coverley for inspiration, remember that our legacy did not start in pain; it started in joy, wisdom, and advanced civilisations. We are the descendants of architects, scholars, and activists who bent the arc of history with nothing but conviction and community.
We are rooted in legacy and strength. We are here, and we have so much left to do. This month, let your voice blossom, for change is your birthright.