Looking for some powerful quotes from black women? We have rounded up the best collection of black women quotes, sayings, proverbs, captions for Instagram, messages, slogans, Status (with images and pictures) from authors, politicians, actresses, singers, activists, and more to inspire you to be empowered and successful.
These quotes can help uplift your spirits, no matter what color you are. These fabulous ladies are all talented, successful, and wonderful in different ways and it can be refreshing to get inspiration from such wise women.
Also See: Queen Quotes
These positive quotes are perfect to celebrate the Black History Month, which is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month.
These quotes are ranging from the topics of empowerment, love, life, success, self-worth, family, work, struggles, feminism, empowerment, and more.
Inspirational Black Women Quotes
- “Boss up and change your life.” — Lizzo
Black Women Quotes
- “You can fall, but you can rise also.” — Angelique Kidjo
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“A crown, if it hurts us, is not worth wearing.” — Pearl Bailey
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“Women who wear black live colorful lives.” — Neiman Marcus
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“Prayer begins where human capacity ends.” — Marian Anderson
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“Life is short, and it’s up to you to make it sweet.” — Sadie Delany
- “Self-esteem means knowing you are the dream.” — Oprah Winfrey
- “A strong black woman doesn’t let a tear stain her face.” — Unknown
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“Each person must live their life as a model for others.” — Rosa Parks
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“If you prioritize yourself, you are going to save yourself.” — Gabrielle Union
- “Follow your instincts. That’s where true wisdom manifests itself.” — Oprah Winfrey
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“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” — Dr. Mae Jemison
Inspirational Quotes for Black Women -
“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” — Ida B. Wells
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“Do not desire to fit in. Desire to oblige yourselves to lead.” — Gwendolyn Brooks
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“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.” — Rosa Parks
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“The path to your success is not as fixed and inflexible as you think.” — Misty Copeland
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“Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change.” — Iyanla Vanzant
- “I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” — Simone Biles
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“Black men should be with black women. And they should love and honor them.” — Runoko Rashidi
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“Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” — Madam C. J. Walker
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“It’s time for you to move, realizing that the thing you are seeking is also seeking you.” — Iyanla Vanzant
- “Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it hope. Feed it truth. Feed it love.” — Unknown
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“What I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” — Oprah Winfrey
Strong Black Women Quotes -
“You are on the eve of a complete victory. You can’t go wrong. The world is behind you.” — Josephine Baker
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“A great figure or physique is nice, but it’s self-confidence that makes someone really sexy.” — Vivica A. Fox
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“Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.” — Coretta Scott King
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“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” — Angela Davis
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“The kind of beauty I want most is the hard-to-get kind that comes from within – strength, courage, dignity.” — Ruby Dee
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“Feminism is a woman’s vehicle to human agency and fully fulfilling her chosen destiny without interruption.” — Fee Scott
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“You’ve just got to follow your own path. You have to trust your heart and you have to listen to the warnings.” — Chaka Khan
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“Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any Happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself.” — Alice Walker
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“Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself. Imitation is suicide.” — Marva Collins
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“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” — Maya Angelou
Powerful Black Women Quotes -
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” — Oprah Winfrey
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“Be not discouraged black women of the world, but push forward, regardless of the lack of appreciation shown you.” — Amy Jacques-Garvey
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“When you put love out in the world it travels, and it can touch people and reach people in ways that we never even expected.” — Laverne Cox
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“What you know today can affect what you do tomorrow. But what you know today cannot affect what you did yesterday.” — Condoleezza Rice
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“Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.” — Dr. Mae Jemison
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“As you become more clear about who you really are, you’ll be better able to decide what is best for you – The first time around.” — Oprah Winfrey
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“There’s always something to suggest that you’ll never be who you wanted to be. Your choice is to take it or keep on moving.” — Phylicia Rashad
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“You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.” — Diana Ross
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“In complete darkness we are all the same; it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us. Don’t let your eyes deceive you.” — Janet Jackson
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“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” — Shirley Chisholm
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“I am the essence of magic, its mysteriousness, its beauty and its ability to make things happen when people couldn’t see how!” — Jenaitre Farquharson
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“There’s so many things that life is, and no matter how many breakthroughs, trials will exist and we’re going to get through it. Just be strong.” — Mary J. Blige
Black Women Quotes On Success
When women uplift women, irrespective of color, racisms, caste, there can be nothing more powerful than that. It empowers you, gives you confidence and makes you unstoppable.
Also See: Encouraging Words for Women
These motivational success quotes by great black women will give you the strength you need to pursue your dreams, face your fears and be successful.
- “The best way to make dreams come true is to wake up.” — Mae Jemison
Black Women Empowerment Quotes -
“I thrive on obstacles. If I’m told that it can’t be told, then I push harder.” — Issa Rae
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“I have standards I don’t plan on lowering for anybody … including myself.” — Zendaya
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“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” — Oprah Winfrey
Beautiful Black Women Quotes -
“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” — Maya Angelou
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“There’s so much creativity in brokenness. Brokeness will have you making it work.” — Issa Rae
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“When black women win victories, it is a boost for virtually every segment of society.” — Angela Davis
Positive Quotes for Black Women -
“I truly believe that if you put your goals in writing, speak them out loud, and work for them, they will happen.” — Ciara
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“Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal.” — Ava DuVernay
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“I decided long ago never to walk in anyone’s shadow; if I fail, if I succeed, at least I’ll live as I believe.” — Whitney Houston
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“I’ve heard of nothing coming from nothing, but I’ve never heard of absolutely nothing coming from hard word.” — Uzo Aduba
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“Am I bossy? Absolutely. I don’t like to lose, and if I’m told ‘no,’ then I find another way to get my ‘yes.’ But I’m a loyal person.” — Naomi Campbell
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“Instead of looking at the past, I put myself ahead twenty years and try to look at what I need to do now in order to get there then.” — Diana Ross
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“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” — Rosa Parks
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“You wanna know what scares people? Success. When you don’t make moves and when you don’t climb up the ladder, everybody loves you because you’re not competition.” — Nicki Minaj
Black Women Quotes On Self Love
Most of the black women featured here have had their own set of struggles and hardships. But they know the importance of self love and self-acceptance and have worked really hard through their own journeys.
Also See: Classy Women Quotes
With all the willpower they came out as a happier person who is bold, successful and have come a long way to live a life of their dreams.
- “You are your best thing.” — Toni Morrison
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“I know my worth and I refuse to give out discounts!” — Unknown
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“You can’t be hesitant about who you are.” — Viola Davis
Black Women Quotes On Self Love -
“Self-esteem means knowing you are the dream.” — Oprah Winfrey
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“I was built this way for a reason, so I’m going to use it.” — Simone Biles
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“Even if it makes others uncomfortable, I will love who I am.” — Janelle Monáe
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“When I’m tired, I rest. I say, ‘I can’t be a superwoman today.” — Jada Pinkett Smith
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“You’ve got to learn to leave the table when love’s no longer being served.” — Nina Simone
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“When you undervalue what you do, the world will undervalue who you are.” — Oprah Winfrey
- “She is clothed in strength and dignity & she laughs without fear of the future.” — Proverbs 31:25
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“Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” — Toni Morrison
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“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker
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“I’m not ashamed of what I am and that I have curves and that I’m thick. I like my body.” — Alicia Keys
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“If we give our children sound self-love, they will be able to deal with whatever life puts before them.” — Bell Hooks
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“There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born.” — Oprah Winfrey
- “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” — Audre Lorde
- “What keeps me going is that quest for just being able to be present and be myself. Not for people, but for me.” — Janet Mock
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“Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine in yourself, so that you can hear it in others.” — Marian Wright Edelman
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“Normalize black women loving themselves. Choosing themselves. Freeing themselves and healing themselves.” — Unknown
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“I am black. Woman. Beautiful. Magic. Intelligent. Resilient. Love. Innovative. Powerful. Influential. Unapologetic.” — Unknown
Strong Black Women Quotes
If you are feeling down, unmotivated or are just looking for wise words of wisdom for self-assurance then we got you covered with some uplifting words by some of the greatest black women to encourage you bigtime.
Related: Strong Woman Quotes
We hope to inspire you to be strong and change the game by getting back to doing the great things you were created to do in life.
- “Boss up and change your life.” — Lizzo
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“Black Queen, most powerful in the game.” — Unknown
Black Women Quotes Pictures -
“Design the life you want to live.” — Rachel Roy
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“Always stay true to yourself.” — Michelle Obama
Famous Black Women Quotes Images -
“If you get, give. If you learn, teach.” — Maya Angelou
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“This black woman rocks on a phenomenal level!” — Stephanie Lahart
strong independent black woman quotes -
“I have come to understand and listen to the fear.” — Tracee Ellis Ross
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“No person has the right to rain on your dreams.” — Marian Wright Edelman
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“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.” — Oprah Winfrey
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“I’m a Black woman. Empowered, powerful, and greatness.” — Stephanie Lahart
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“You may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise.” — Maya Angelou
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“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.” — Maya Angelou
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“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” — Shirley Chrisholm
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“Until the color of your skin is the target, you will never understand.” — Angela Davis
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“We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society.” — Angela Davis
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“No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you.” — Althea Gibson
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“Beauty is not just a white girl. It’s so many different flavors and shades.” — Queen Latifah
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“Black skin was filled with so many barriers, so many restrictions, so many.” — Randi Pink
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“America made us heroines not wives. We hid our ladyness to save our lives.” — Lucille Clifton
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“No matter how far a person can go the horizon is still way beyond you.” — Zora Neale Hurston
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“If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.” — Zora Neale Hurston
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“The collective, orchestrated fury of Black women can move the whole world.” — Brittney Cooper
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“We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list.” — Michelle Obama
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“Women must become revolutionary. This cannot be evolution but revolution.” — Shirley Chrisholm
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“I don’t have to go around trying to save everybody anymore; that’s not my job.” — Jada Pinkett Smith
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“Surely, there’s strength in being dressed for a storm, even when there’s no storm in sight?” — Yaa Gyasi
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“As a Black Woman, I define self-care as the ability to safely and comfortably exhale.” — Bethanee Epifani
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“I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.” — Beyonce Knowles Carter
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“No matter where life takes me there will always be someone who’s threatened by it.” — Franchesca Ramsey
- “I am a black woman who is strong at times but I am also human and deserve love and protection.” — Unknown
Motivational Women Quotes
Motivational Women Strength Quotes
Let us know which of the above amazing black women quotes and sayings you resonate the most with? If you have a quote which is not on the above list, please share it in the comments section below.
Share these quotes with the women in your life, with the women you admire, the ones you want to see succeed, and the ones who have been there for you on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, and more.
