Black women are spreading joy in 2023.

The tumultuous time we live in isn’t a match for the unique talents and joy of Black women who are shining, showing out, and delivering joy in music, television, movies, poetry, and the office of the vice president.

As we enter into summer, we celebrate and honor the women who will bring the heat all summer long.

This group — and your sisters, partners, mothers, friends, and of course your aunties, deserve no less attention and appreciation.

In this day and age when so many media and online attacks are directed at Black women, we can pause and give flowers to the women who will bring us their talents and joy.

Halle Bailey, Lizzo, Janelle Monae.

Janet Jackson, Megan Thee Stallion, and Beyonce.

Amanda Gorman, India Amarteifio, Quinta Brunson, and Sasha Obama.

Meghan Markle.

And of course Vice President Kamala Devi Harris.

They are just some of the Black women spreading joy this summer.

We see relentless online attacks against Black women all the time. Social media sites are more likely to suspend Black women’s accounts for defending themselves versus those accounts who launch the attacks.

This summer the joy thieves will be drowned out because the joy coming from Black women is unstoppable, unbothered, and uncensored.

The Black women who are shining this summer:

Halle Bailey is remarkable as Ariel in the Little Mermaid. If you haven’t seen the live-action movie — or, better -if you haven’t heard her sing- do yourself and your family and friends a treat and go see her now. She is a generational talent.

Halle is that good.

Lizzo is burning up the stage on tour and delivering fantastic shows full of energy, excitement, love, and enough joy for every attendee. Lizzo’s every move is powerful, smooth, athletic, and wonderful to behold.

Janelle Monae is riding the creative wave of a lifetime as she heats up music, movies, and her body as art. In her full power, Janelle is proving again that nothing will stop her ascendancy.

Janet Jackson is back on tour and showing younger performers that she still has that certain “IT” that fans have long loved her for, and other performers long emulated.

Megan Thee Stallion stays winning, and slaying looks and baseball stadiums with her unique talent, confidence, and strength.

Beyonce is may not have have even peaked — and that is scary to consider when you realize she’s been going strong for twenty straight years since releasing her first solo album Dangerously in Love in 2003.

Amanda Gorman. Poet Laureate. Trailblazer. Unafraid of Florida or people who can’t read, while proving that wisdom resides where it wants and in whom it wants.

India Amarteifio is a young queen and you can see her in play the role of England’s Queen Charlotte on Netflix. You will be amazed and enchanted by her acting, regalness, and self-assuredness in the title role.

Special shout out to the West Point Class of 2023 graduates. Look at them!!

Quinta Brunson who created the best sitcom on television, Abbott Elementary, will keep you laughing all summer.

Speaking of school, look at baby girl Sasha Obama graduating from USC. Like all graduates, including the always needed Black doctors graduating from Meharry Medical College, we celebrate all our Black women graduates this summer.

Her Royal Highness, slayer of looks, first of her name, wife and mother, and busy advocate for women and girls all over the globe, the indefatigable Markle Markle shines through even the thickest London fog. Listen to her on Archetypes — one of the top podcasts in the world — where she talks with other amazing women who share their unique perspectives on a range of important topics.

And, finally, the most powerful woman in the world — and also one of the kindest, smartest and accomplished politicians in the nation, Vice President Kamala Devi Harris continues to lead by example while keeping the most vulnerable at the forefront of her efforts to help reshape the office of the vice president for the benefit of all Americans but especially women and girls. A global icon and role model who champions women and girls — and every important priority of the Biden Administration, VP Harris continues to build the stage that other women will one day stand on.