Here is a brief insight and introduction to the author and creator of Ebony Sei Bellissima, Ms. Charisse Diggins, an African-American Washingtonian Native. I’m the mother of two beautiful healthy boys – ages seven and eighteen. I decided to create Ebony Sei Bellissima to reach out to my African- American family. In my mind the best way to accomplish this was to begin with myself and having self-reflection. Like most women of color, I struggled in my childhood with acceptance, popularity, and bullying; some due to the color of my skin tone. I am the oldest of four siblings. Having a different father from my siblings – and it’s quite noticeable as my step-father is what you call “light-skinned”; I’d often go out with my parents and siblings and on several occasions, people would think I was not a part of my own family. Cashiers would separate my groceries/clothing from my family when shopping together. People even made snarky comments such as “your siblings look better than you”. My step-father recognized these instances and would rectify them on the spot. My step-father tried his best to make sure I felt loved in the home and was treated with a little more care and understanding than my siblings. In fact – he made sure I wanted for nothing. As time raced on, I endured different racial slurs, but from my own race. I often thought, why? I look just like you…but that didn’t matter. Then when the shootings of unarmed African- American boys were becoming too often I decided to take a stand. One that hit home was Trevon Martin. I started thinking…I have sons of my own, I could be mourning the death of a child. What can be done to reach our people – I thought. So, in those moments, I created and developed my own brand ‘Ebony Sei Bellissima” – which means “Black is Beautiful” in Italian. With this brand, my vision is to uplift my counter-parts. I want women of color to uplift themselves. Be better, do better. Have standards, that if we do, our counter-parts (Black Males) would have no other choice but to do the same. If we as women must pave the way, then so be it. Everyone/everything started from some place. Why not your own heart?! Once we (women) look at ourselves, and make better choices, our men could have no other choice but to be what they are destiny to be – KINGS!!!! Once that’s accomplished, we will stand together against our common adversary, whomever that may be. However, in the words of the great Spike Lee we must first “Unlearn”! Thank you for taking the time to read a little about me…thank you for your support
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