I’ve been carrying this story for a long time. It’s not just mine; it belongs to so many women who have felt invisible in their own skin. And yet, I also know that lighter-skinned Black women carry their own burdens, assumptions, stereotypes, isolation, and the pressure to fit into molds they didn’t choose. This book isn’t about comparison. It’s not about blame. It’s m about truth. It’s about healing. It’s about creating space for all of us to be seen. I named this book Mahogany for a reason. Mahogany is rich, deep, layered; it’s strong and stunning in its complexity. Just like us. The title honors brown-skinned women who have felt pushed aside, uncelebrated, or misunderstood. But it also invites all women of color no matter where they fall on the spectrum to reflect, connect, and rise.