“He’s A Good Man, Savannah!”
Where were you when the classic film Waiting to Exhale debuted? I was 13 years old. Somewhere between mastering puberty and jamming out to the ever-popular R&B group TLC. I didn’t know a thing about the complexities of Black women. My only concerns were getting the latest Air Max sneakers and drawing up a masterful plan to bump into my crush.
I grew up seeing many books sprawled around the house because my mother was/is an avid reader. While I can’t recall every book I encountered, I remember seeing many Terry McMillan novels. Her book covers drew me in as they were always vibrant and colorful and often featured beautifully sketched Black women. When one of her books, Waiting to Exhale, was adapted into a film, my mother and her friends rushed to the theaters to see it. I didn’t catch it until it was available on VHS. And when I saw the movie and heard the soundtrack, my affinity for Black women grew deeper.
One of the most magical things about the movie’s emphasis on sisterhood is that it still binds Black women together almost two decades later. At some point, we've all seen someone we know in these characters. They're us, our mothers, our grandmothers, and our aunts. We've witnessed their heartbreaks just as we've witnessed our own, and we celebrated their newfound freedom in cutting cords with societal and familial expectations just as we do now at Black Women For Self.
Waiting to Exhale isn't just a movie; it’s a full-circle moment that spans generations of our present day. Within the movie are nuggets of wisdom waiting to be revealed no matter what stage of life we're in. It speaks to Black women, their sensibilities, the pressures they endure, and the beautiful process of letting it all go in a way that finally serves us and our vision of life. After all, we're all journeying through life, only keeping the things we need and releasing what no longer serves us, just as they did in this film.
In celebration of this film and to be intentional about our girl time, Black Women For Self will be hosting a private screening and discussion of the movie this month. I can almost guarantee something new will be learned about yourself and those around you at this screening on April 20th in New Orleans, LA.
Dr. Danielle Wright (a mental health phenom) will join us in digging deep into the crux of this movie as it relates to self-care and sisterhood. Trust me; you don't want to miss this opportunity to relive the 90s with one of the most iconic movies of our culture.
This event is invite-only, but we are opening up a few slots to our subscribers because y’all deserve first dibs. If you’re interested in attending, email us at info@blackwomenforself.org to claim your spot. Remember, we are only holding a few spots for you, so jump on emailing us fast!
See ya at the movies!
Samjah + Chaila