Source: Jim Spellman / Getty
As a bold, unapologetic digital disruptor, I’ve been pushing for the visibility of Black women—especially plus-size women—in fashion and beauty long before it was a hashtag. I didn’t need permission, I just made space. And today, I’m proud to say there’s a new generation walking through doors I helped kick down—wearing their style, their softness, and their sauce with no shame.
But this time, it’s bigger than plus-size. It’s Black girls of all sizes refusing to bow to society’s outdated beauty standards. It’s young influencers—skinny, thick, slim-thick, curvy, and everything in between—popping their shit, styling their narratives, and living out loud.
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For too long, Black women were pushed to the margins of fashion. If we weren’t erased, we were tokenized. If we weren’t ignored, we were stereotyped. But the new school doesn’t play that game. These young creators are emerging from the shadows, not asking for a seat at the table but pulling up their own chairs—and decorating them in rhinestones, thrifted denim, custom nails, and lace-front wigs.
Young Black Influencers
They may not all have the brand deals, luxury trips, or endless PR boxes that some of the OGs boast, but don’t get it twisted—they are still the moment. They inherited a legacy that slays. They are the daughters, nieces, and cousins of the digital revolution. And they’re reminding us, loudly, that what we built matters.
These influencers aren’t waiting on validation. They’re defining beauty on their terms—whether that’s rocking a bodycon mini dress with stretch marks out, serving fresh braids with a couture gown, or pairing Jordans with a slip dress and calling it a fit. They aren’t imitating trends—they’re starting them. Every reel, every “get ready with me,” every photo dump is a cultural statement.
They echo the boldness of Lizzo, who told us plainly: “I’ve been fat, I’ve been skinny—bitches still ain’t fucking with me.” That’s the spirit these young women embody. Their presence is the flex. Their joy is the protest. Their confidence is the revolution.
Now let me get personal. Watching my daughter Daja, a micro-influencer and beauty enthusiast, step into her power gives me so much joy. Her love for fashion, her unapologetic expression of Black girl luxury, and the way she and her friends—especially the curvy ones—support each other is everything I prayed to see. Our daughters are not shrinking themselves. They are living boldly, authentically, and without apology. And as a mama, I couldn’t be prouder.
This moment is about more than clothes. It’s about legacy, culture, and community. It’s about young Black women—of every size—taking what was once used to box them in and turning it into art, influence, and identity. They are the leaders of the new school, and they’re making damn sure our work wasn’t in vain.
These girls are not just influencers—they are impact. They are what happens when legacy meets audacity. To every brand, every editor, and every gatekeeper still playing catch-up: get into it. The Black girl aesthetic did not die—it evolved.