This book is for every Black and Brown woman who has carried a weight that is too H.E.A.V.Y. to name. The stories in H.E.A.V.Y. are not merely stories of pain; they are stories of survival, resilience and the pursuit of a fierce joy that blooms even in the darkest soil.

These pages contain unspoken truths, sometimes subtle, sometimes raw, but always authentic. It is my sincere hope that Black and Brown women find recognition, validation and reflection within these stories and journey together in pursuit of purposeful alignment, healing and self-discovery. It is also my heartfelt desire that each chapter inspires Black and Brown women to lay down whatever is H.E.A.V.Y. for them by confiding in trusted sisters, brothers, friends and loved ones.

May they walk alongside one another, extending grace without limits and offering support without judgment. May this book empower Black and Brown women to embrace each day with confidence, moving through life a little more lightly, knowing they are seen, heard, understood and never alone.

Let us honor the journeys of Black and Brown women and celebrate the wisdom that comes from loosening our grip on what is H.E.A.V.Y. Let us welcome the buoyancy that allows us to move through life with renewed strength, courage and hope. Cheers to the beauty and power found in the weight released, and let us raise a toast to the freedom, healing and lightness that await.