We’ve all worn the mask...the smile that hides exhaustion, the “yes” that covers resentment, the polished exterior that conceals how heavy life feels inside. But what happens when the mask starts costing you too much? For women who’ve spent their lives overworking, overgiving, and overlooking themselves, the breakthrough isn’t in doing more; it’s in taking the mask off.

This Labor Day, let’s honor the labor of unmasking. Black women deserve rest, freedom, and authenticity; not endless performance.