Whole with joy w/India Arie
Last year, I began a practice of immersing myself in the bodies of work created by Black womxn who have profoundly inspired my life during their zodiac season. Libra season, in particular, feels abundant with the wisdom and creative energy of so many powerful Black womxn who have shaped my journey. Today, I’m honored to celebrate the one and only India Arie.
I truly don’t know where I would be on my self-love journey without the divine melodies and soulful messages of India Arie. I’ll never forget the first time I heard “Video.” It was during a dark period in my college years, and the song felt like it was written just for me. For the first time, I felt understood, seen, and loved in a way that allowed me to sit in my body with more ease and acceptance. Then, about five years later, when my spirit needed it most, India Arie released “I Am Not My Hair.” That song became a mirror, reflecting a greater sense of pride in myself. It sparked a deep curiosity about the “soul that lives within” she sang about—a journey I’m still on to this day.
Fast forward to now, and India Arie’s work continues to shape my world in the most profound ways. Recently, I introduced my six-year-old daughter to “I Am Not My Hair” after an incident she experienced at school. A classmate of European descent told her she preferred my daughter’s hair in a “more tamed” protective style rather than her wild, kinky, coily afro. The classmate even said she looked “more like herself” when her hair was styled that way. My daughter came home feeling “sad” and “left out.”
I approached the situation holistically, addressing it with the school, the student’s mother, and most importantly, with my daughter. I held space for her pain, sharing how I too had faced similar experiences growing up. Then, I introduced her to the song that carried and lifted me as a young Black womxn—India Arie’s “I Am Not My Hair.” Together, we sang, read, and danced to the lyrics, letting them weave their magic. We chanted the chorus over and over until it became sacred, a mantra of love and resilience.
In that moment, I saw the power of India Arie’s work ripple forward into the next generation—a reminder that her music is not just art, but a healing force for the soul.
“I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations, no
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am the soul that lives within”
Another cherished India Arie story comes from an experience I shared this past weekend with a group of incredible women called Still Magnolias. This is a sacred healing space for Black, Indigenous women, and women of color who identify as “women of faith,” a vision brought to life by my vibrant, 80-year-old mother.
During our last gathering, we explored the vital practice of building shame resilience. Together, we examined the ways shame manifests in our lives and how it keeps us from living authentically. We bore witness to each other’s stories, shed tears, and collectively released the weight of shame.
As part of our journey, we turned to the transformative power of India Arie’s “I Choose.” Through her song, we shook it away, stomped it away, shouted it away, and sang it away. With every verse, our voices grew louder, our hearts more unburdened, until we were no longer bound by shame. Together, we declared with fierce determination and joy:
“I choose to be the best that I can be.
I choose to be authentic in everything.”
In that moment, India Arie’s music became more than a melody; it became a collective anthem for liberation and self-love.
“I choose peace”
“I choose joy”
“I choose happiness”
“I choose love”
“I choose me!”
Happy Birthday, India Arie!
Thank you for sharing your light, your gifts, and your heart with the world. Your love for yourself, for Black womxn/people, and for humanity as a whole continues to feed our spirits and bless our lives. You’ve helped me learn to love myself more deeply, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Each of your albums holds a sacred place in my heart, guiding me through some of my most trying moments. Your music has been a mirror, reflecting my strength, courage, and wisdom—reminding me that I am a queen, worthy of love and life because, as you’ve taught us, I am light.
Here are some of my favorite India Arie songs that continue to inspire and uplift me: