Black women are a symbol of wisdom. If you sit and talk with your African/Black grandma, you are sure to drink from her well of wisdom and knowledge. Over the centuries, Black women are known for their courage and their efficacy in delivering motivation, inspiration and self love, not excluding nuggets on success. And these are the basis of our collection of quotes by black women.
Black women share a collective history of courage, power and self worth, united by a universal suffrage, greatness and sisterhood.
And because the wisdom of black women is endless, this collection of inspirational quotes by black women is however just a fraction of it. Our collection features quotes from insightful, powerful, and beautiful black women.
Our goal is to inspire you during your day whether you are powering through a workday or enjoying a much-needed self-care day.
50+ Confidence and Self Love Quotes by Black Women
If you need a pep talk, a motto for your vision board or some motivation to keep you going, here are a 50+ Inspirational, Confidence and Success quotes by Black Women for your motivation.
Michelle Obama
The first black First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, is often cited in reference to her husband or as the former first lady, but she is also an influential and iconic woman in her own right.
Michelle Obama, started from humble beginnings and propelled herself to completing her education at the ivy league institutions of Princeton and Harvard. She also held a career as an accomplished attorney.
Mrs Obama is also a best-selling author, speaker and commentator and an advocate for children and human rights. As one of the influential people from the black community, she has wealth of wisdom to share, and she definitely deserves to be on our collection of inspirational quotes by black women. Here are some of her worthy quotes on confidence to help you tune up your true self-worth.
“Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude,” – Michelle Obama
“Am I good enough? Yes I am.” – Michelle Obama
“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once. But, don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own,” – Michelle Obama
“For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” – Michelle Obama
“Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them inspire you. Let them make you even hungrier to succeed.” – Michelle Obama
“There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others.” – Michelle Obama
“I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values. and follow my own moral compass, then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own.” – Michelle Obama
“Failure is an important part of your growth and developing resilience. Don’t be afraid to fail.” – Michelle Obama
“You have to fill your bucket with positive energy—and if you have people hanging around you that are bringing you down and not lifting you up, whether that’s your ‘boo’ or your best friend—you have to learn how to push these people to the side” – Michelle Obama
“Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility. Make decisions based on what should happen, not what shouldn’t.” – Michelle Obama
Beyonce
Wife, mother, singer and mogul, Beyonce Knowles Carter, is one of the black women we would be tapping from her wealth of knowledge with some of her quotes.
Queen Bey is a strong activist for the black community. She has participated in great films such as Dream Girls and Cadillac Records, creating amazing works like Black is King and demonstrating her loyalty to the cause time and time again! Her words are a part of the worthy quotes by black women in our collection.
“When I’m not feeling my best I ask myself, ‘What are you gonna do about it?’ I use the negativity to fuel the transformation into a better me.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“Power is not given to you. You have to take it.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you, you.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“A true diva is graceful, and talented, and strong, and fearless and brave and someone with humility.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone telling you who you are.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“It is so liberating to really know what I want, what truly makes me happy, what I will not tolerate. I have learned that it is no one else’s job to take care of me but me.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“I embrace mistakes. They make you who you are.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“When you love and accept yourself, when you know who really cares about you, and when you learn from your mistakes, then you stop caring about what people who don’t know you think.” – Beyoncé Knowles
“Don’t try to lessen yourself for the world; let the world catch up to you.” – Beyoncé Knowles
Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams is a crusader. This Georgia woman has so much fight in her, as she was able to help turn the tide of an entire election and flip the state of Georgia blue. Stacey helped give a voice to voters and people who didn’t think their point of view mattered. Not only is Stacey Abrams an author, in 2021 she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Here are some of stacey Abrams quotes that can help you learn to be a woman with confidence. Her words are on our collection of quotes by black women.
“We must cease being participants in our own oppression.” – Stacey Abrams
“Admitting mistakes is a fundamental skill too few of us learn. In Part, this is because we’ve been taught it’s wrong to be wrong.” Stacey Abrams
“Invention, discovery, and empires are built of chances taken with high degrees of failure,” Stacey Abrams
“The most significant successes come from letting your light shine, embracing failure, and getting good at being wrong.” Stacey Abrams
“Names matter; labels matter. We should always pursue the highest title available and fight for the labels that reflect our clout.” Stacey Abrams
“Remember this in the darkest moments, when the work doesn’t seem worth it, and change seems just out of reach: out of our willingness to push through comes a tremendous power . . . use it.” Stacey Abrams
“Not only must we stop telling ourselves no, we have to internalize our right to make mistakes and to use error as an entry point to more knowledge.” Stacey Abrams
“Financial independence gives us the power to decide our futures and liberate our conception of what’s possible.” Stacey Abrams
“We will all, at some point, encounter hurdles to gaining access and entry, moving up and conquering self-doubt; but on the other side is the capacity to own opportunity and tell our own story.” -Stacey Abrams
“The way to win is to try.” Stacey Abrams
Madam CJ Walker
Madam CJ Walker was one of the first African-American women to become a self-made millionaire. She broke through racial barriers and overcame countless obstacles to bring her dream and vision alive, all while helping to lift others and provide them with their own opportunities for success. And that is why her words are part of our collection of inspirational quotes by black women.
Madam CJ walker built a hair empire that still impacts black hair, beauty products, and culture today.
“Perseverance is my motto.” – Madam CJ Walker
“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it!” – Madam CJ Walker
“Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” – Madam CJ Walker
“I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations.” – Madam CJ Walker
“It’s pretty hard for the Lord to guide you if you haven’t made up your mind which way to go.” – Madam CJ Walker
“I have built my own factory on my own ground!” – Madam CJ Walker
“I got my start by giving myself a start.” – Madam CJ Walker
“Open Your Own Shop; Secure Prosperity and Freedom.” – Madam CJ Walker
“If I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard.” – Madam CJ Walker
“Girls and women of our race must not be afraid to take hold of business endeavour and, by patient industry, close economy, determined effort, and close application to business, wring success out of a number of business opportunities that lie at their doors.” – Madam CJ Walker
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah, is a mogul, activist, author, actress and a role model with some of the most powerful and inspiring interviews, performances and legacies. As one of the most influential people from the black community, her inspirational words are a part of our collection of quotes by black women.
Ms. Winfrey rubbed shoulders with all of the most influential and important black men and women in recent history and has so much knowledge and wisdom to impart. Here are some of her greatest “Woman with Confidence” quotes you should tap from.
“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” – Oprah Winfrey
“You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe.” – Oprah Winfrey
“When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Self-esteem comes from being able to define the world in your own terms and refusing to abide by the judgments of others.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Only make decisions that support your self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth.” – Oprah Winfrey
“You are where you are in life because of what you believe is possible for yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Your calling isn’t something that somebody can tell you about. It’s what you feel. It is the thing that gives you juice. The thing that you are supposed to do. And nobody can tell you what that is. You know it inside yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey
“I was once afraid of people saying, “Who does she think she is?” Now I have the courage to stand and say, “This is who I am.” – Oprah Winfrey
“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you – always.” – Oprah Winfrey
“I have a lot of things to prove to myself. One is that I can live my life fearlessly.” – Oprah Winfrey
Bonus
The quotes by black women above are 50 inspirational quotes. Below is a bonus of 5 worthy quotes from legendary activist, poet, author and scholar, Maya Angelou.
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou
“Let nothing dim the light that shines from within.” – Maya Angelou
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
“If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?” – Maya Angelou
“Determine to live life with flair and laughter.” – Maya Angelou