The Beauty in You: Podcast
The Beauty in You Podcast: Empowering Women to Achieve Their Dreams
The Beauty in You podcast is a welcoming space that has been created for women to find solace, get inspired, and be reminded that they still have the power to be the best version of themselves. Our podcast is designed to motivate women to pursue their dreams, and to do so through developing a positive mindset, embracing the healing process, and sharing their story.
Join us on this empowering journey, where we aim to help women unlock their full potential and achieve their dreams.
The Beauty in You: Podcast
Clean Beauty and Racial Justice with Hannah McCall
Join us as we delve into these compelling topics, striving to empower and redefine beauty standards for ourselves and our children.
To Connect with Hannah McCall:
https://www.instagram.com/sippinhannah
https://www.instagram.com/cleanbeautyforblackgirls/
https://www.thechiquitamack.com/shop-tcm/p/the-beauty-in-you-a-guide-created-to-help-you-discover-the-best-version-of-you
Chi Quita Mack's Website: https://www.thechiquitamack.com
Jacqueline G. [00:00:01]:
Welcome to the Beauty in you podcast, a safe place created for all women to come relax, get inspired, and be constantly reminded that they have not lost the ability to be who they once were. Join us as we dive into the true meaning of rediscovery through inspiring guests and topics such as healing, self love, and creating a positive mindset. So sit back, relax and get comfortable as we dive into this week's episode. Here's your host, Chiquita Mack.
Chi Quita Mack [00:00:29]:
Hey y'all, welcome back to another episode of the Beauty and you podcast. We are staying right here within the DMV. You guys. I am so excited for our guest today. She is a dynamic, humanist and dedicated founder of clean beauty for Black Girls. An innovative focus on educating about the importance of clean and safe beauty practices as a critical element of racial justice. She champions a growth mindset and lives authentically, sharing powerful insights, thoughtfulness, grace and self compassion. Her work extends beyond exploring the intersections of self care, wellness and societal transformation.
Chi Quita Mack [00:01:11]:
As an educator and inspire, she motivates individuals to rise above stereotypes and embrace their authentic selves, fostering a community committed to holistic well being, empowerment and personal growth. Hannah McCall, welcome to the Beauty in you podcast.
Hannah McCall [00:01:30]:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm so happy to be here.
Chi Quita Mack [00:01:32]:
I am so excited to have you and I just cannot wait to jump into your rediscovery journey. You have so much to share and we have similarities within our stories just a little bit. So why don't you start off by sharing a little bit of your rediscovery journey?
Hannah McCall [00:01:49]:
Yeah, I mean, my rediscovery journey, like the start of it, is a little cliche. Only because becoming a mom shifted everything for me, right? I didn't realize a lot of things until that point, until I was looking at the world through the eyes of a young black boy and watching the world around us where we were living in the midwest. Look at him as a little black boy. And that really forced me to look at my own upbringing, my experiences, dismantling what I thought was true and untrue. Because I think what happens a lot of times when you grow up, the only in your family, whatever that means to you, right? When you grow up, the only in your family, there is a lot of natural, well intentioned gaslighting that happens. And when you're a child, that really messes with your like, identity of self, your autonomy and all of those things. And so when I became a mom, I really was just like, I need better for you. I need you to not grow up with these things on your shoulders, because I want you to really discover who you are.
Hannah McCall [00:03:04]:
What I didn't realize is in picking my child up and planting him in different soil so he could do that, is I was doing that for myself. I didn't realize I was re parenting and reintroducing my inner child to the world. And I've gotten to a place where I thought I was an angry person for the first 23 years of my life. That could not be further from the truth. It could not be further from the truth. I was just in an environment where all I could do was survive and scream.
Chi Quita Mack [00:03:42]:
Yeah.
Hannah McCall [00:03:43]:
So it's been a really fun journey to bring other people along as I'm like, yo, like, do you know how dope you are? Because, like, I just. How dope I am. Like, don't love here. So that's kind of. That's how I got to this space, this chapter.
Chi Quita Mack [00:04:00]:
I think that is so cool. Like, when we talk about rediscovery, it can happen at any point in your life, and it's also always constantly happening as well. It's kind of weird.
Hannah McCall [00:04:12]:
Thank you.
Chi Quita Mack [00:04:12]:
Like, we're always learning ourselves. But that one thing, like motherhood, like, when you become a mom. I was so afraid to become a mom because of what I've experienced as a child, and I didn't want my children to be in that environment because you're right. We were just surviving. Like, literally just surviving, trying to get by. And I remember growing up, you know, I think I already told you, you know, my. My father, my stepfather, but my father, because he raised me forever, but, you know, he's puerto rican, but he looks white. And so my sister, you know, she's biracial.
Chi Quita Mack [00:04:50]:
And then you have me, the chocolate girl. And I just remember, like, people constantly staring and people looking at me and me feeling out of place and me feeling like I don't necessarily fit in, not being the confident person that I am today, not understand the importance of loving yourself and loving who you are. And so when I became a mom, I wanted to really ensure that my daughter and my son, but more so my daughter, understood how beautiful she is regardless. Right? Like, you are beautiful. Not, you're beautiful for a dark skinned girl, like, what I heard growing up, you know? But you're beautiful, period. You know? And so just teaching those things and wanting to break the cycle, because I feel like we're just on that journey of we about to break the cycle. Like, we're doing that.
Hannah McCall [00:05:37]:
Yep. Yeah. Like, we're. We're change makers. I think because we allow evolution of thought, like, we allow our sense of self, like you were saying, to grow. It's like you continue on one path, and then you learn something new. You shouldn't stay on that same path now. Like, it should widen.
Hannah McCall [00:05:56]:
Right? And I think that growing up with two white parents, there was a lot of narrow path thinking for them because there was nothing to widen it, to make space for them to, like, see the world through my eyes or attempt to see the world through my eyes. And I think there's just a lack of willingness to grow from certain generations, especially when it's something we don't know anything about. It's rather. It's like, but I'm a good person, so I'm gonna stay right here. And it's like, good people grow.
Chi Quita Mack [00:06:32]:
We have to.
Hannah McCall [00:06:34]:
Cause we can't know everything in every phase of our life. We really can't. And I think there's such a healing journey and being able to say, you know what? My childhood, while great, caused a lot of harm. Let's open that door and talk about it. Because there's forgiveness on both sides. I think there's learning. Like, what was your experience as parents? Let me tell you my experience as your child. I think there's so much to be said for that, that I do that with my son now, like, once a month.
Hannah McCall [00:07:04]:
I'm like, hey, what's something you want me to get better at concerning our relationship and what's, you know, something that you like? It really bothers you that I do. Like, let's just talk about it. And we flipped the script. And I think that's, like, I see him operate in the world with such a pure sense of self, even with his emotions, that I just. I'm so committed to this continual learning journey just because of that. Because I'm like, if I could have been you at that age, where would I be right now?
Chi Quita Mack [00:07:37]:
Right, right. It's so crazy. I think about that, too, because people always say, like, you know, your daughter acts just like you. And I'm like, she acts like the adult me.
Hannah McCall [00:07:49]:
Like, it took so much work to.
Chi Quita Mack [00:07:51]:
Get here for me, I was never doing any of the things that she's doing at her age or wanting to do in her voice. And, like, just being such a leader, that was not me. I was, like, so quiet. Like, you would forget I was in a classroom. I would never talk. I was so afraid. So when people say that, I'm always like, oh, wow. But I'm like, but it's definitely not me as a kid.
Chi Quita Mack [00:08:11]:
It's definitely, you know, adult Keeta, not any of that. So I just think it's just important to give them that voice. And I think, too, like, when I think about my parents back then, it was just so different. Like, I wasn't able to talk the way we talk to our kids, and we're very open with our kids. Like, don't ask them no questions. What you talking about? Like, don't worry about it. Don't worry about it.
Hannah McCall [00:08:36]:
Because I said so, parents, I told you, too.
Chi Quita Mack [00:08:39]:
And I don't really care how you feel because you a child. So bye. And so having those conversations, like, I would say stuff to my mom, like, mom, do you remember growing up when you said this to me? And she's like, did not. And I'm like, you definitely did. And it's like, I don't know if she. Hi, mom. Sorry. But I don't know if she, like, tuned it out or she doesn't want to remember, but she was straight up, like, I didn't say that.
Chi Quita Mack [00:09:02]:
I didn't do that. And I'm like, yeah, you did. Because it kind of left an impression.
Hannah McCall [00:09:06]:
Right, right. I think that's, like, I think those conversations can be so healthy. But I also have grace for the people in the world whose parents are unwilling to even have serious conversations. Those are my parents. If I'm being completely transparent, I think that's the sad part is in any relationship, right? It's when you. When you are someone that's committed to this growth, expansive, like, allowing life to show you where you're going to expand and grow, it's really hard when you enter or come across your historical relationships that aren't going to grow with you. I think that is such a humbling space. But I also think that's where I've learned.
Hannah McCall [00:09:51]:
I've learned so much about self compassion because of things like that. Learning to truly talk to yourself like you do your best friend mean that in a cliche sense. Like, I do this thing where if I. If I have, like, a feeling of, like, seeing myself do something that I, like once imagined or like a habit I've been working on, and I just do it naturally. I'm like, oh, hey, honey, how are you? Like, I see you right here, like, validating that experience because I think we can get so lost in, like, the emptiness and the push and pull of the growth that, like, it's okay to, like, remind yourself that you're home. Like, you're home, you're good, you're safe. It's okay.
Chi Quita Mack [00:10:32]:
I think that's so important as well. What is one of the most impactful things I will say that you've learned about yourself on this journey?
Hannah McCall [00:10:45]:
I think the most important thing I've learned is boundaries for the sake of keeping the peace that I just inherently have. I say that because I'm an empath. Like, if you cry in front of me or even think about crying in front of me, I'm gonna beat you to it just so you feel comfortable enough to cry. I'm just a really deep feeler, and I started to hide part of that because the world is the world, and, like, it's really hard to be a feeler out here. And once I learned, like, no, you just gotta pull yourself back. You gotta make sure you keep certain people in your spaces, and you got to let the other people just remove themselves. You have to say, I know you guys are going to have this conversation right here. It's going to make me uncomfortable.
Hannah McCall [00:11:34]:
Continue having it. I just might not actively participate. Actually speaking on who you are and letting that fall has been the most resounding lesson I've ever learned. And as you do it, the muscle develops and you're like, I can really be out here, like, my whole self. Wow. Like, that is. And I think, again, when we grow up in spaces where we're forced to fit in on such a, like, granular level, finding that in ourselves is really, really dope. Yeah, really dope.
Chi Quita Mack [00:12:08]:
Yeah, I would definitely say so. I think because I've mentioned before, like, how quiet I was.
Hannah McCall [00:12:15]:
Yeah.
Chi Quita Mack [00:12:16]:
It was so important for me to find my voice, and now that I have it, I can't stop talking.
Hannah McCall [00:12:21]:
Right. That's what happens.
Chi Quita Mack [00:12:25]:
So it's like, the things that I would normally would just be like, oh, it's okay. And it's not you. Like, you feel like, oh, so hurt. And then you're like, it's okay. That used to be me.
Hannah McCall [00:12:37]:
Yeah, me too.
Chi Quita Mack [00:12:38]:
Yeah, it's okay. Oh, no, it wasn't that bad. Oh, no, I'm fine. And inside, I'm, like, screaming, like, oh, my God, how could you do that? But now the new me is like, oh, listen, we're not gonna do that.
Hannah McCall [00:12:50]:
Mm hmm.
Chi Quita Mack [00:12:51]:
Talk about that, you know, or I'm not going to take that, or you're not going to disrespect it. So, like, really finding my voice was just so important in my rediscovery journey, and that is just something that I don't want it to go away. I like that.
Hannah McCall [00:13:08]:
Right? Once you have it. It's like, oh, no, this is it now.
Chi Quita Mack [00:13:12]:
And I find myself always saying, like, I say this a lot, like, in the office, too. I'm like, y'all better find your voice.
Hannah McCall [00:13:19]:
Y'all better talk up. Y'all better speak up.
Chi Quita Mack [00:13:23]:
When I know it's not the easiest thing to do. But for a lot of people, I am their voice. And so if something doesn't go well, they're, like, looking at me and I'm like, all right. But then I'm, like, telling them, hey, I'm not going to always be here. I would really like for you to find a way to express, you know, yourself. And I know it's not easy because it was hard for me. It took me, like 30 something years to get there, right? You know, but here I am. So I think it's really important.
Chi Quita Mack [00:13:51]:
And all you guys are older than me, is to just really find your voice. So that way, you know, you can use it for the good. And they're like, okay, we hear you, but can you just do it because.
Hannah McCall [00:13:59]:
You'Re here, like, but you're so good at it. It's like, how do you think I got here? By using my voice, okay.
Chi Quita Mack [00:14:08]:
And I had to feel uncomfortable. That part of being uncomfortable, like, it's for real growth comes with being uncomfortable. But we have to just embrace, embrace that part, that fear part that makes you scared and being. You gotta push through it to get to your goal and where you're ultimately.
Hannah McCall [00:14:27]:
Trying to be exactly that right there. Like, reframing what discomfort actually means. And I was listening to something the other day that was talking about fear, and it's like, hold on. Fear is not an emotion. You have an emotional reaction to fear. And I was like, oh, yes, let's separate those two things because fear is often, like, you gotta come this way. Like, it's right over here. And it's like, hmm, I think I'm comfortable over here.
Hannah McCall [00:14:54]:
But it's like, if you really sat and reflected on the cost to your happiness of staying comfortable, when true comfort is literally just going through the hard stuff, it's taking that guidance of, like, peeling back the layers and learning yourself. It's like, no, you don't even know what discomfort. Like, you're in discomfort. You're judging comfort. Cause it. It's sticky. It is sticky.
Chi Quita Mack [00:15:20]:
Yep. And just thinking about times where, like, even if you think about, well, for. I can only speak for myself, but, like, my childhood, that was uncomfortable. Comfort. Does that make sense?
Hannah McCall [00:15:32]:
Oh, yeah. I love that you put words to that I really.
Chi Quita Mack [00:15:37]:
Yeah. I was like, wow, I was just so uncomfortable, but comfortable at the same time. And then it's when I got out of that and got into the world of realizing, like, that was some shitty. That really wasn't okay, you know? But you find comfort in being uncomfortable to put, you know, it's just really. It's just really weird.
Hannah McCall [00:16:00]:
That is weird. Yeah. I think that's. All of that is how I learned to gaslight myself. I think that explains why I would get in relationships with people that I had to, like, prove my worth to, which is an impossible thing. Don't ever do that. But, like, I think I would do that because, you know, growing up in these spaces where I thought comfort was this, like, bubble of discomfort, but that discomfort is just called racism. It's just when you're in a sea of white people, nobody's calling it that because they're like, what's wrong? All I said was this to you.
Hannah McCall [00:16:36]:
I didn't mean, like, you you. And it's like, oh, oh, okay, okay. Yeah, all right. Or, like, you know, having conversations with family, it's like, oh, you can't say that because of this. Well, I'm not racist. And it's like, as the resident expert, I'm gonna go ahead and make that call. I'm gonna tell you.
Chi Quita Mack [00:16:56]:
Right?
Hannah McCall [00:16:56]:
Like, that's not how this is supposed to go. So I get that because, like, I. Moving away from my family, I separated that, like, discomfort and comfort and was like, I don't even know if I have anxiety for real or if I was just in an environment where I couldn't be safe. And so then I also had to take that to, like, my immediate family and be like, when you come home from holidays, it takes a week and a half for you to reset internally. Why? And should you keep doing that? And it's like, no, you shouldn't. So being strong enough to, again, face that discomfort, face the recalibrating of what things look like, because, I mean, we have one life. I'm constantly, like, telling myself that, especially with a son who's getting close to the end of his high school career. Like, I know the feeling, right? It's like, geez, life is just so fast.
Hannah McCall [00:17:53]:
We try to put so much in it, and it's like, you really need to center yourself in a way that you can remain present. Otherwise you miss the good stuff or you miss being able to absorb the good stuff. Like, I think getting to this level of peace in my life, I get to see the love I give reflected back, because I can absorb it. Like, I'm not blocked anymore. It's just like, oh, oh, this is. This is nice.
Chi Quita Mack [00:18:23]:
I think it's important that you even mention that part, because we do get to a part and our journeys where we're wanting the loving, we're wanting the belonging part, but we also have to be in the space to receive those things, and that's more work. Like, tell you something, this rediscovery stuff is tiring.
Hannah McCall [00:18:44]:
It never stops. It never stops.
Chi Quita Mack [00:18:46]:
Be like, oh, my God. I thought I learned this already. Oh, I really didn't deal with that part. Okay, let me deal with this part. But you do have to put yourself and the place to receive the love that you're wanting to give. And I touch on this real quick just in a framework of just talking about your kids, right. So I didn't grow up in a very, like, affectionate environment. Like hugs and, you know, give me a hug.
Chi Quita Mack [00:19:14]:
Like, that was not my upbringing, which I never really thought much about until, like, my kids. Like, my kids are so they, like hugs and kiss and hug, and I'm like, what?
Hannah McCall [00:19:29]:
It takes so much to get used to. Right? Okay.
Chi Quita Mack [00:19:32]:
You know, but allowing them to do that and being able to receive that and then learning how to give that back, like, I had to learn all of that. And that's when I realized, like, oh, my God, I didn't even grow up in an environment that was like this.
Hannah McCall [00:19:46]:
Yeah.
Chi Quita Mack [00:19:47]:
Like, that self realization, that was real for me, for sure.
Hannah McCall [00:19:51]:
I think what you said is so powerful one. Because I'm an advocate for kids, period. I think they're the greatest kids. And dogs are my favorite. But, like, kids can teach us so much about the vulnerability, piece of compassion. I'm obsessed with it. My son had to do the same thing with me. I think that's also why us as parents, like, we're the curse breakers, we're the rerouters.
Hannah McCall [00:20:18]:
Because we are also vulnerable enough, even though we didn't really realize maybe in the moment that's what we were doing. But, like, we let them lead a little bit. Like, we let them say, hey, I need this, okay? Like, just give it to me. Because you're my mom. And it's like, okay, yeah, that is good enough. That is a reason for me to just give this to you. Like, you cannot spoil the child with love. And I'm glad that we're learning that.
Chi Quita Mack [00:20:40]:
Yeah.
Hannah McCall [00:20:40]:
Because I just. These babies need all the love in the world to go out into this, because we did it, but we did it the hard way. Right. Like. And that's why we're exhausted.
Chi Quita Mack [00:20:50]:
Yeah, we, like.
Hannah McCall [00:20:52]:
Right? We'll be exhausted. Yeah. I gotta go dismantle this other trauma. Hold on.
Chi Quita Mack [00:20:56]:
Like, let me go deal with this one.
Hannah McCall [00:20:58]:
Yep. So, no, I love that she said that. I love that you did that. I love that you're raising it, because I think there's so much power in that.
Chi Quita Mack [00:21:07]:
Yes. Thank you so much. So I do want to wrap it around, and I do want to talk about your nonprofit that you have. So tell me about your nonprofit and explain to me the connection, because I see a connection with your nonprofit and also your rediscovery journey.
Hannah McCall [00:21:29]:
Yeah.
Chi Quita Mack [00:21:29]:
So talk to me a little bit about your nonprofit and then the connection back around to your rediscovery.
Hannah McCall [00:21:35]:
So my nonprofit was created just because I learned something new, and it made me mad. I learned that 75% of personal care products marketed to black women contained harmful chemical ingredients. And I learned that from white women who were also selling a product on the other side of it. So to me, I was like, one, you can't tell my community what's best for us, but stop that, please, and stop doing it in the sake, for the sake of capitalism and another dollar in your pocket. So I decided, I started a blog, and then a lot of black women owned brands who are making products with our health and mind reached out to me and were very much like, this is what we need. Because as product makers, it's really hard for us to do the education, too. Like, can't do everything right. I created the nonprofit.
Hannah McCall [00:22:37]:
It has been amazing. I am constantly, constantly reminded of the grace of humanity, because there's a lot of white women in this space that are really dope and put black women on, but the black women in this space are just, like, so motivating, so driven, and it's great. But it's sad, too, because a lot of these stories, a lot of brands that start making great products are because women have been faced with diagnosis that are traced back to products that they use. And it's like, that's so unfair that I just couldn't be silent again, using your voice. And so, yeah, so I just do the education piece, and I tell people all the time, like, my goal is to no longer have to have this nonprofit. So we're gonna keep talking until it's no longer necessary.
Chi Quita Mack [00:23:29]:
That's amazing. First of all, I never really realized the harmful products like ingredients in our products. You know, they make it look all pretty, and then they put one of us in the commercial. And then, you know, you just go to target.
Hannah McCall [00:23:43]:
Go to target. Exactly.
Chi Quita Mack [00:23:45]:
And I'm like, oh, okay. And I just grab it. I never thought to, like, flip it over.
Hannah McCall [00:23:51]:
Exactly. Who thinks that? I'm like, no, that's. Isn't that why we have, like, laws and regulations? One thinks.
Chi Quita Mack [00:23:59]:
Yeah, I never thought about that. So the fact that, yes. Using your voice for something. We love our hair.
Hannah McCall [00:24:07]:
Exactly.
Chi Quita Mack [00:24:07]:
I don't know about you, but we love our hair. And we're going to buy that product that does the thing that we wanted to do no matter what. And so, yeah, the fact that you're able to be like, hold up, you're hurting us. You're hurting our people. And it just sucks because we're always getting that side of it. Like, we're gonna sell, you know, we're gonna take the black dollar, you know, we're just gonna sell to them and gain from them. They're not gonna really pay attention.
Hannah McCall [00:24:34]:
Yep. It's like, we're just gonna force them to do this because they'll, they'll just do it. Because I, I'm bolder than a lot of other people in this space only because of what I'm about to say. And I say it all the time, but, like, please don't believe that any of this is lacking intention. Like, they know because they also have different formulas to sell in different countries who have stricter legislation. So, like, this is not a, oops. This is a on purpose thing because it's largely in products that also support enforce a white beauty standard. This is not an accident.
Hannah McCall [00:25:11]:
And like you said, hair, like, hair products are actually the worst because they know we're going to have shelves and cupboards full of that. On their part. It's good market research.
Chi Quita Mack [00:25:20]:
Yeah, on their part and our part. We'll buy it and then we'll be wondering, well, why do we have this? And why is our body dragging this way and what's happening? And we don't think, at least for me, my first thought wouldn't be, it's the hair product that I just bought. Right. Because it's doing a thing I wanted to do for the hair, so I'm gonna keep buying it. You know? So just having that awareness, like, no, we really need to pay attention to what's on the back of our bottle and what we're putting into our bodies. Like, it's really important for our community that part.
Hannah McCall [00:25:51]:
Because I think a lot of the narrative forces us to believe that a lot of these hormone related health issues that we see black women have breast cancer, fibroids, pregnancy issues, fertility issues. We're told all of those things are because of how we live, right? Our culture, how we eat. That's not true. That's not true. Breast cancer, for example, I think only 6%. Six to 8% is genetic, which means the rest is environmental.
Chi Quita Mack [00:26:26]:
Wow.
Hannah McCall [00:26:27]:
So that's not what we're eating, even though that's a whole nother issue we can talk about. And that's not, again, that's set up like food deserts and all that. But it's just. We have to start asking. And this goes for self discovery, too. That's kind of how it goes hand in hand, I suppose. Like, we have to ask more questions. Like, we have to ask just because we've had something in our heads forever, we've been told something, given something.
Hannah McCall [00:26:51]:
It's like, okay, but why? And does it work? And is it best for me? Like, you know, like, we just have to. We have to be more inquisitive about everything, including ourselves, including our health.
Chi Quita Mack [00:27:03]:
I agree. And it does go to the food, too. Like everything that we put into our bodies. I think because there's a lot of things happening to our bodies with food, too, that. You're right. It's not by mistake. It's like we're going to market to this culture at this price because we know they're going to buy it and it's doing damaging things to us, to our people, and definitely to our children, for sure. Like, some of the things, like, are happening.
Chi Quita Mack [00:27:29]:
I'm like, why? What's going on? Why is this? You know, my mom's like, it's what they do to the food now. You got to check the food. I'm like, you're right. It's definitely what they're doing to the food because this stuff is not normal.
Hannah McCall [00:27:41]:
It's not like food. Between food and food and personal care products. And we look at little girls and it's like, why are they going through puberty earlier? And it's like, well, I can tell you, like. Cause that's not normal. Like, that's. That's evolution in the way that I don't think we were really supposed to go, no.
Chi Quita Mack [00:28:01]:
And that's scary that puberty early stuff is, like, terrifying, because it really is. I'm not ever ready. Ever ready. And I'm just like, what is happening? Because when I was growing up, everything happened when we were like, 1415 and now it's like 910.
Hannah McCall [00:28:18]:
And with that at nine, like, I just. I can't wrap my head around that. Like, that's so. That's such an emotional burden because, like, even at 14. 1516, I think it was 15, but, like, even then, it's like you. You're told you're a woman, and you have no idea what that means.
Chi Quita Mack [00:28:35]:
Yes.
Hannah McCall [00:28:36]:
So you're just like, all right, I'm different now.
Chi Quita Mack [00:28:40]:
Yeah.
Hannah McCall [00:28:40]:
How am I different? I don't know.
Chi Quita Mack [00:28:43]:
I don't know. I don't know what's happening. And then to deal with that at such a young age, it's like they.
Hannah McCall [00:28:51]:
Don'T know at all.
Chi Quita Mack [00:28:53]:
And so it's just, okay, well, let's just teach the hygiene part of it first and kind of understanding that you kind of got to do this and then. But this is the bigger picture, and they still don't get it. They don't.
Hannah McCall [00:29:04]:
Because how can you.
Chi Quita Mack [00:29:05]:
Right.
Hannah McCall [00:29:06]:
Like, no, I feel like that takes. Well into adulthood.
Chi Quita Mack [00:29:10]:
They just don't know.
Hannah McCall [00:29:12]:
Right. And that could be lack of education.
Chi Quita Mack [00:29:14]:
I guess, too, but, yeah, yeah, yeah. So it's just our world is changing. I'm just thankful for your nonprofit and just finding a need. I feel like you literally found a space, and you're like, I'm definitely going to use my voice and I'm going to fill that gap, or I'm going to bridge it for sure, so that our people can be healthier and can understand what's out there and better ways to benefit our community. So, definitely kudos to you for finding that bridge.
Hannah McCall [00:29:46]:
Thank you.
Chi Quita Mack [00:29:47]:
And doing that. I just feel like, you know, I know you said you want to continue talking until we don't need it anymore, but. No, I think you just got to keep going. You gotta.
Hannah McCall [00:29:58]:
There'll be something else that comes of it, I'm sure.
Chi Quita Mack [00:30:03]:
Keep it and then add something else into it.
Hannah McCall [00:30:05]:
Yeah, right? And I like. I kind of. That's the name. Clean beauty for black girls kind of came because it's a little ambiguous. You don't really know what it means. People think I have products all the time. I get market pitches.
Chi Quita Mack [00:30:19]:
Oh, I got you one.
Hannah McCall [00:30:21]:
Look@the.org. Or just put a quick Google in. Like, I'm not selling anything.
Chi Quita Mack [00:30:25]:
No, she's not. Guys, come on.
Hannah McCall [00:30:28]:
For the sake of, like, the bigger conversation. Because a lot of what, like, if I meet with groups or whatever, a lot of what we do is open up what beauty means to you. And, I mean, we know this. Black women, young black girls, we come in so many different versions of beauty and to put girls in a room and space and say, what do you think is beautiful to you as a black girl? Or if I say beautiful black girl, what comes to your mind? And then, like, digging in and being like, okay, so you're telling me straight hair is your version of beauty. Why? And just letting them, you know, kind of sit with those questions is really dope. I've had young high school age boys come to some of the high school groups because they're curious about, like, their products, and then they get to sit on those conversations and hear the young girls talking about beauty and listening to, like, a different conversation than they might be privy to is also really great. So it's really just become this hub of, like, let's just talk about what's going on. Like, let's just talk about the pressures, the beauty pressures of being a black woman in this space in America, period.
Hannah McCall [00:31:35]:
So it's. It's really powerful to just watch people kind of get through that discomfort and then just actually start talking. That. When I coached high school track, I got that a lot, and I was like, oh, this is like a tap in for me. Like, I love giving the babies a space to just, like, stand a little taller.
Chi Quita Mack [00:31:59]:
I think it's important to have those conversations with them and to hear the definition of beauty from their eyes, because society sucks, and it puts so many pressures on ourselves to look a certain way to fit into the mold. But whose mode is it? You know? Like, those are the questions. Like, well, why do you want that? Or why do you want to look like that? Or why do you want straight hair? Why can't you wear your curly hair? Why can't, you know who said that? That's not beautiful? And so, again, changing the narrative. Having those conversations, like, those conversations are what's going to change the world. And those conversations that you're having with those young people, those are our future leaders, and that's what we need. We need to ask them those inquisitive questions to make them think about, huh? Why is that? Wait, I don't have to have my hair straight?
Hannah McCall [00:32:49]:
Yes.
Chi Quita Mack [00:32:50]:
Oh, I can wear it in a frill. I can wear twists. I can do my locs.
Hannah McCall [00:32:56]:
You can switch it up as many times as you want to. Like, don't let anybody tell you you're doing too much.
Chi Quita Mack [00:33:01]:
Yes. You do whatever you want, and you're beautiful that way. And so having, like I said, having those conversations and. And allowing them to think and have a voice is what's going to allow this cycle to keep changing and to ultimately change, hopefully the world. Change our black girl narrative.
Hannah McCall [00:33:22]:
Yeah.
Chi Quita Mack [00:33:22]:
Our black boy narrative, and it takes.
Hannah McCall [00:33:25]:
All of us talking. Right? Because there's no. That whole element of there not being enough room for everybody or, oh, there's already too many people having these conversations. No. Up and bring your lens. We don't know something. Like, you have something to tell us, because not. We all have similarities, but sometimes we don't even, like, know there are parts of us that we match with until we start talking.
Hannah McCall [00:33:51]:
And I feel like that's when we live on this, like, superficial level. Like, I love social media for so many reasons. For so many reasons. I have formed so many connections through it. But we're also very much faced with a copy and paste competition world, if for lack of a better phrase. And so, you know, you really have to ask yourself those questions so you can stay out here in the light and not be persuaded by everybody else, you know? Because if we don't all bring our perspectives, then we're just gonna be, you know, just like. Well, we're gonna be where we are right now. I'm not even gonna lie.
Hannah McCall [00:34:33]:
Yeah, we can't agree on anything. We nitpick with each other. We take each other down any chance we get, and it's like, I'm not interested in that.
Chi Quita Mack [00:34:41]:
I don't have the energy, child.
Hannah McCall [00:34:43]:
That's the thing. I don't have energy. And, like, all I see is y'all's pain. Like, come on over here. Come have a conversation. Come sit down.
Chi Quita Mack [00:34:51]:
We change in all this. We change, right?
Hannah McCall [00:34:52]:
Like, we're not going to do that anymore, but, yeah, I just. I think it's so important that we just keep talking and sharing and letting other people talk and share.
Chi Quita Mack [00:35:03]:
Yeah, let them talk. Let them share. Give them their space and keep being our authentic selves, I think it's going to continue to make a huge difference and just showing just the importance, like, be who you are. No, we didn't start here. We all have a journey, but look at where we are, and we're changing the world one voice at a time.
Hannah McCall [00:35:25]:
I'm, like, determined.
Chi Quita Mack [00:35:27]:
Like, you're going to hear our stories, and you're going to be motivated, and you're going to go out there and you're going to change the world, too. Come on, come on, come on, come on.
Hannah McCall [00:35:33]:
It's true. Even, like, specifically thinking about, you know, the overbearing stereotypes of black women and we're strong and how we're really trying to take that off the table. But again, growing up under only white influence, never personally knowing an older black woman until I got to college, I had no concept of how a black woman operated. You know, like, showed up, felt nothing. I had no context. So I was just like, oh, I am an angry person. And so, again, when I found out, like, I am incredibly soft, and that is my strength, because I'm like, no, I'm going to show up soft, and y'all will just deal with me soft. Like, I get everything done that I need to get done.
Hannah McCall [00:36:23]:
Like, I'm a single mom. But still, you know, it's just. I think that's so. It's just an interesting journey to come out on the other side of and be like, oh, that was just. You were just operating in a way that you were told you are. Because, again, media society is going to keep pounding that in our heads as black women. And it's like, ah, you take so much creativity and love from yourself when you allow that narrative to be what brings you forward.
Chi Quita Mack [00:36:51]:
Mm hmm. Absolutely. I think it's important. And I talk about strength quite a bit. Like, changing the term of strength. Like, you're not necessarily strong because we're going to just carry everything, or we're going to take it all as a black woman, and we're not going to speak our mind or anything like that. We're just going to carry it. But being able to speak and to be vulnerable in spaces that we're normally not vulnerable, like, showing that strength in that way.
Chi Quita Mack [00:37:16]:
And with my daughter, I always try to tell her, you know, you're so strong for telling me, you know, thank you for telling me how you feel. There's strength in that. Thank you for crying. And I think you. Because it's important for her to know, like, just because I cry or I show emotion or I'm doing this doesn't take away my ability, you know, to be strong. I'm not this strong black woman that everyone has painted us to be.
Hannah McCall [00:37:37]:
Yep.
Chi Quita Mack [00:37:38]:
And so really focused on changing the narrative and definition of the word strong as a black woman. Like, you're so strong, Keita. I'm like, listen, y'all, you don't even know. Thank you. I appreciate it, but I'm strong because, like, I hear you, but from my perspective, it's because of this, this and this. But, yeah, thank you for that. But, you know, there's more to it than just being the black woman that's gonna carry on her shoulders. Cause I ain't doing that no more.
Chi Quita Mack [00:38:04]:
I took it off. Y'all gonna have to take some of this weight. I'm tired.
Hannah McCall [00:38:07]:
Cause that's the painful part. Right. It's like, we're strong, and it's like, no, we're hurt.
Chi Quita Mack [00:38:12]:
Right. Right.
Hannah McCall [00:38:15]:
That's what it really is.
Chi Quita Mack [00:38:18]:
I am hurt, and I've been hurt for a while, and, you know, deciding to do that work and that self discovery, that's the strength part.
Hannah McCall [00:38:29]:
Thank you.
Chi Quita Mack [00:38:30]:
Tucking the layers off of yourself, really digging into your childhood, trying to figure out where all this stuff come from, why I feel like this, why that's strength.
Hannah McCall [00:38:38]:
Because that hurts.
Chi Quita Mack [00:38:41]:
You know, that. That's the part. So I think it's important for. I want to encourage everybody to do the work, you know, find out who you are and be who you are. Like, show up as yourself, love yourself in and out, the good, the bad, the ugly, and just have an open mind and keep being willing to learn. I just feel like it's just so important, no matter where you are in your rediscovery journey.
Hannah McCall [00:39:07]:
Yeah, I completely agree. I get asked often how I got in this, like, advocacy space, the DeI space, and it's, you know, I. Because of my growing up days, I just have such an intense, natural pull to treat people like they matter. But I also tell people, like, it's really difficult to treat people like they matter if you can't treat yourself like you matter, you can't treat yourself like you matter. If you haven't gone in there and looked at, like, the entirety of you, the good, the bad, the ugly, the. I don't know why that's there. What is that? And be like, all right, we all cool. Like, I love my like, but until you can love yourself and see yourself, you can't see somebody else.
Hannah McCall [00:39:51]:
So I think we all would do a service to ourselves and the people around us and our communities just by, like you said, going in, doing the work, seeing what's there, what needs healing, what needs cleaning out.
Chi Quita Mack [00:40:04]:
I agree. What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with just that, with wanting? They want to be their authentic selves, but they just don't know what to do. What advice would you give them?
Hannah McCall [00:40:20]:
Honestly, I think one of the most impactful things you can do if you're not sure where to go or where to start, is to do the scary thing of spending time with yourself. Like, sit somewhere. It can be in your house, it can be outside, but sit somewhere. Don't put in headphones. Just sit. Look around. Talk. Let the world get quiet.
Hannah McCall [00:40:42]:
Because you have so many answers inside of you. If you just stop and listen and, like, if you believe in a higher power, I promise you, that, like, can you. Can you just chill out for a second? Because I have a lot to give you, but, like, you won't stop moving. And I think that's such a natural thing, right? Like, we think authenticity comes from performance, and I, especially social performance, and I don't think that could be further from the truth. I think you have to be really solid and then enter a space and be okay with trial and error.
Chi Quita Mack [00:41:14]:
Grace is the plug.
Hannah McCall [00:41:16]:
It's like, oh, I messed up there. All right, next time.
Chi Quita Mack [00:41:19]:
That silence part, that kind of scared me a little bit. It's scary all the time, lord. But it's so necessary. It's so necessary. I used to be so afraid to be by myself, and now I enjoy being by myself. So you're absolutely right. There's so many answers that we do already have, and it's so important to sit in that silence because there's so.
Hannah McCall [00:41:39]:
Many different ways to be by ourselves, too, right? So, like, expanding what that looks like, too, it's worth the discomfort in the beginning when you're at a space where you're doing the most mundane thing, and you're like, I really like hanging out with me right now. Like, that's worth all the discomfort in the world. And I believe in gratitude, journaling so much. Like, we can reprogram our brains for real. For real.
Chi Quita Mack [00:42:03]:
Yes, we can. I love my positive affirmations, chap. I love my positive affirmations because that's what I think saved me because I had to trick myself at first. I had to say it over again until I started to believe it. But there's so much power in it and the power of manifesting. I just really believe that our minds are the key to so much. And if we can just, like, we watch what we put in our bodies, just watch what we put into our mind, what we feed our minds, we can definitely make a difference, for sure.
Hannah McCall [00:42:33]:
Yeah. My son's biological father played football in college, and as he was, you know, going through the combine and NFL scouts and things like that, he had his first mental break and was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Chi Quita Mack [00:42:48]:
Oh, wow. Okay.
Hannah McCall [00:42:49]:
Watching someone that was my entire heart go through something like that, I really learned, or I gained so much respect for the brain, and that really put me into a space of mental health and wellness and starting my, like, learning about it there, because then also being, like, I have a child who does share some genetics with this human, so, like, I need to make sure that he has a much stronger mindset going into the bigger stressors of life. So he knows what to do and how to handle them. That means I have to learn how to handle them, too. And, yes, like, it's the. It's the affirmations. It's the telling yourself how you're gonna feel and think before you do it naturally. That looks like, for me, a lot of times, you know, I'll have a negative thought and I will literally say to myself, no, no, no, no, we don't do that anymore. And it sounds crazy, but you gotta keep doing that until you're like, okay, I got it now.
Hannah McCall [00:43:47]:
I got it now. And I don't think that ever stops. I think that's a continual, intimate relationship with yourself where it's like, no, we're not going to say that about ourselves. We're going to say, you can do it, and you are going to figure it out because you do deserve it.
Chi Quita Mack [00:44:02]:
Absolutely. That reprogramming, so important. That mental health awareness, again, so important. And I think mental health and the black community, it's something else to shed a light on and to embrace because that's not talked about very much. It's getting there now, but it definitely wasn't then.
Hannah McCall [00:44:27]:
Exactly.
Chi Quita Mack [00:44:28]:
And so I just think learning all of that, the importance of the mind, importance of sitting on somebody's couch, like, I was the one that was like, I'm not about to sit. I will be the one sitting on this side of the couch, taking a note on that side, because I don't do that and realizing, like, oh, no.
Hannah McCall [00:44:43]:
I have to do that.
Chi Quita Mack [00:44:44]:
Like, I have to be the personal to be on both sides of the couch.
Hannah McCall [00:44:48]:
It's okay, right? Yes. Because, like, you're still human. Hello. Right?
Chi Quita Mack [00:44:53]:
I can feel this stuff. So that was a lesson I had to learn. But I'm a very big mental health advocate. I think it's really, really important to just continue to educate and just to learn as much about ourselves and change the narrative of our lives in all aspects. For sure.
Hannah McCall [00:45:10]:
100%. 100%.
Chi Quita Mack [00:45:12]:
So can you tell the audience where they can find you?
Hannah McCall [00:45:18]:
Yes. I am on Instagram. You can find me personally at Sip and Hannah, and you can find the nonprofit at Clean Beauty for black girls.
Chi Quita Mack [00:45:26]:
Yay. I want to thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for being a part of the beauty in you podcast and just being willing to share your story with us.
Hannah McCall [00:45:37]:
Thank you. This was great. This was great. I love what you're doing. So thanks for having me.
Chi Quita Mack [00:45:41]:
Thank you so much. And all of Hannah's information will be in the show notes, so you can just access her very quickly and be a part of her beautiful community because you don't want to miss it. So jump on that. All right, guys, until next time, thank.
Jacqueline G. [00:45:59]:
You for joining us on this week's episode of the Beauty and you podcast. Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe. Visit us@thechquitamac.com or join us on Instagram at the Chiquitamack for your daily motivation and inspiration. Tell a friend to tell a friend. Until next time.