When I hear “Black Is Beautiful,” I often think about my hair and how growing up as a child, I didn’t think my natural hair was. It all started in elementary school. My mother didn't have the patience to do my hair because it was hard to maintain. So instead, she would take me to the hair salon once a month to get cornrows with the beads on the end.

Beauty should have no shape, no color, no size, and most importantly, NO JUDGMENT. The interpretation of one's inner beauty should highlight all things confidence. The world doesn't always give minorities the opportunity to become a FULL expression of our best selves. This week's Black Is Beautiful Friday Feature helps women build their inner and outer beauty no matter their race, region, or origin.

Beauty can also be your presence, your voice, your influence– beauty is whatever you feel it is. For me, I think being a strong communicator and speaking up for what you believe in is beautiful. It’s also a trait that many women of color are afraid to showcase because of the perception that comes from being “loud” or “aggressive” when you express an opinion that differs from the masses.