The 59th Inauguration Was a Day of Empowerment for Black Women

Excellence! Front and center

American poet Amanda Gorman reads a poem during the 59th inaugural ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021. Photo: Patrick Semansky-Pool/Getty Images

To all the Black women in America, whether old or young, I want you to know that we are bold, brave, and beautiful. Three Black queens— Vice President Kamala Harris, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman — reminded me of this truth on Inauguration Day.