Dark-skinned Girls Rock!: Kerryanne

Well hello there everyone! 

Hope you all are doing lovely and feeling great!

Next up on the DGR series, is my buddy Kerryanne. We went to college together and its so funny how we met. During Freshman orientation we were standing on line to get our pictures taken for our School ID's. We started talking to each other and ended up becoming friends on Facebook. Although we never had a class together, we managed to keep in contact via facebook. Kerryanne and her bff recently started a blog called Bold and Out Loud! Make sure you head over there and check it out!! 

Kerryanne Burke

Everybody meet lovely Kerryanne! She's a 23 year old JD candidate at New York Law School and the co-creator of Bold and Out Loud. She reppin' Queens, NY y'all (my hometown)!  

Describe yourself in 3 words. Creative, passionate, and cultured.

Tell us about your personal style. Unique, ethnic, glam,  and subtle, but everlasting in your mind.

Who are your style icons? Jessica White, Chanel Iman, and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Have you ever struggled with self-identity issues because of your complexion? If so what are some things you did to accept yourself for who you are and love yourself? 

I always knew that within my race there was a divide, a preference for lighter toned people. I would say that it bothered me that our history, of slavery, created this post traumatic stress and hate syndrome that can't seem to go away. The only problem I had growing up with my complexion, was my acne, which is still an issue. But honestly, I thank God that I come from the family I come from because I never thought of myself less than. What I do have a problem with is guys who say,"you are pretty for a dark skin girl," "she is beautiful for a darkie," or call me "dark and lovely." I am not a hair dye box and pump those breaks on the back-handed compliments-- dudes.

 

Do you have any advice for other dark-skinned women that are struggling with accepting themselves because of the color of their skin? 

  I think apart of loving the skin you're in is predicated on loving your entire identity and understanding your culture, history, and worth. The best advice I can give is to soul search and connect with the truth about being Black. Once you do that the color of your skin will just be an element that depicts your power, strength and ability to live against all odds and adversity.

What do you like most about being dark-skinned?

What I like most about being dark skin is that I can wear some bright colors and it pops. Not to mention I don't burn or peel in the sun. LOL

 

Talk about beauty and brains!! I love how you said "I'm not a hair dye box"...that is too funny!! I also love the advice you gave to other dark-skinned women about accepting their idenity. It is true...before we can love our complexion, we must love our entire identity! Thanks Kerryanne for participating. Kerryanne also had a youtube channel. You can Check out her hilarious videos here. 

 Ladies, if you are a dark-skinned woman and want to be featured in the Dark-skinned Girls Rock! series, click here! Don't be shy :)!

EMBRACE YOUR BEAUTY!