Evolving While Black - by Chianti Lomax (Paperback)

About the Book

A Black woman's guide to authentic happiness, healing, and radical transformation, drawing on evidence-based strategies from positive psychology and mindfulness.

Book Synopsis

A Black woman's guide to authentic happiness, healing, and radical transformation

"If you asked my grandmother what self-care was," says Chianti Lomax, "I'm pretty sure her response would be: 'Self-care? That's for rich white women!'" Our mothers and grandmothers were too busy fighting for the future of their families to often consider their own wellness and happiness--and now, as the inheritors of their mighty labors, we have the opportunity to do more than simply survive. So how do we thrive? How do Black women grow, transform, and make good use of the power they have?

In Evolving While Black, Lomax--renowned life coach and "Chief Happiness Curator"--shares a guide to help Black women achieve authentic happiness and liberation on their own terms. By shifting the culturally constrained language and perspective from which mindfulness and self-care practices are normally presented, she breaks down barriers and invites us to bring the power of these evidence-based teachings into our lives, families, and communities. This joyous book paves the way for personal growth, presenting bite-size actions that lead to healing, confidence, self-efficacy, and, most importantly, true self-love. Lomax offers practices, challenges, and reflections in each chapter, exploring topics such as:

- Self-awareness and self-love--deepening your understanding to find the roots of both your challenges and your gifts
- The impact of ancestors--understanding how your history and your genes shape your life
- The power of mindset--discovering limiting beliefs and shaping new mindsets that lead to flourishing
- Boundaries--rescuing time and peace of mind with healthy boundaries
- Habit change--identifying habits that hold you back and how to make new habits that last
- Intuition--connecting with your inner knowing and setting meaningful life goals
- Life balance--finding your own combination of hustle and flow

With no-bull bravery, honesty, and warmth, Evolving While Black welcomes us into a flourishing space of growth and self-discovery.

Review Quotes

"Evolving While Black is right on time. It is easy to relate to Chianti Lomax, as another highly credentialed Black woman with a similar Southern Baptist upbringing who was expected to excel and go above and beyond, while going along to get along and being all things to all people. I see a lot of myself in her stories, and her writing is so familiar that I know the practices she espouses are directly applicable. I will use her chapter on boundaries as my own personal guide. Seeing how the lack of boundary setting was controlling my life--from my emotional energy to time to physical resources--and learning how to set limits, even when others don't expect me to, is a defiant act of self-care. This is a must-read, and it actually 'read' me without even trying. Chianti is a friend we all want, with practical advice we need." --Bärí A. Williams, startup adviser and former lead counsel at Facebook; author of Seen Yet Unseen

"As a Black woman who juggles a million things all the time, this book was a breath of fresh air. Evolving While Black not only helped me feel less selfish when tending to my own needs, but made me realize that we must do this for our self-preservation, survival, and sanity. Chianti Lomax uses examples from her life to connect while providing a road map through the feelings that may come when you confront your traumas, give yourself grace, and understand that loving yourself in daily bits of practice is the way to walking out a joyous and liberated life." --Deesha Dyer, former Obama White House social secretary; author of Undiplomatic

"Chianti Lomax gets it! She speaks directly to the heart of her reader. I found myself audibly saying YES many times. I appreciated reading a self-development book that accounts for how the complexities of race and gender can affect our mental health. Throughout the pages, I felt seen, acknowledged, and gently pushed toward more healing and transformation. This is an accessible and relatable guide for Black women on their healing journey while still being lighthearted and fun to read. Chianti provides useful strategies, relatable stories, and actionable steps to transform your life." --Shelah Marie, founder of Curvy, Curly, Conscious; author of Unruly

"Chianti Lomax has a distinctive ability to make the path toward personal breakthroughs and joy accessible to those seeking to propel their transformation. In Evolving While Black, she offers a clear framework that guides readers into understanding themselves, their mental barriers, and the tools and community they need to blossom in work and life. Evolving While Black is necessary and timely. At a time when it's harder than ever to sustain our mental well-being, this book is a resource for Black women to navigate their healing journeys, shift into mindfulness, and specify their needs in pursuit of happiness. Chianti's expertise as a transformational coach focuses on positive psychology, and her relatable and often humorous storytelling makes her a trusted voice that captivates readers from cover to cover." --Chloe Dulce Louvouezo, senior creative producer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; author of Life, I Swear

"Lomax has developed a pathway to facing and overcoming fears, for people who experienced similar feelings to hers. She respectfully and thoughtfully challenges beliefs and behaviors that are barriers for individuals and communities to achieve wellness and reach their goals." --Library Journal (starred review)

About the Author

Chianti Lomax is a sought-after international speaker, certified coach, transformation strategist, certified workplace mindfulness facilitator, and positive psychology practitioner. She teaches doable habit changes to help increase our well-being and elevate the overall human experience. For more, visit chiantilomax.com.