The body positivity movement is one of the best things to come out of social media. Body positivity is a social movement intended to empower people to love their bodies in their current state no matter their age, size, gender, or race. Instagram and other social media platforms are filled with influencers, sometimes promoting unattainable standards of beauty, with posts being sponsored by diet pills and teas companies and the like. Also, like many other movements or trends, the body positivity movement has been whitewashed.

If you’re in need of some positive vibes and inspiration to love yourself more in this new year, here are five Black body-positive influencers who use their platforms to spread important messages about mental wellness, self-love, and acceptance, which show that beauty comes in a variety of sizes.

Simone Mariposa

Simone Mariposa shows that she is not defined by her body and uses her platform as a plus-sized model to advocate for equal representation of all women. Using her hashtag #wewearwhatwewant, she shows off how curvy girls can be fashionistas. She’s also a brand ambassador for Fashion Nova.

Saucyé West

Stephanie Yeboah is a British blogger, an advocate of fat acceptance, and an award-winning author. Her book, Fattily Ever After, features stories about body image, and the struggles of plus-sized black women in today’s world. “As much as I used to feel insecure about my stretch marks, I know that there is a long story behind them, a story of growth and perseverance, and I'm proud of them,” said Yeboah in a post.

Thickleeyonce

Lesego “Thickleeyonce” Legobane has used her platforms to highlighted  that the body positivity movement is sometimes hijacked by people who are already accepted in society. “I’m not offended by calling me fat, I’m offended by people shaming me for being fat,” she tweeted. She started her own clothing line LeeBex that focuses on larger sizes and in 2019, she became the first South African plus-size model for the popular international design house, Calvin Klein.