Racial identity, pop culture, and delusions of perfection collide in an eye-opening memoir by fashion and beauty insider Danielle Prescod. Growing up Black in an elite, predominantly white community, Danielle found her identity increasingly invisible amidst the whitewashed media she consumed. She aspired to fit into this narrow mold, setting harmful goals that led her to endure painful chemical hair treatments in elementary school and to deprive herself of food during puberty. Her obsession with controlling her image through impeccable fashion choices drove her to pursue a career in beauty and fashion, navigating the storm of racist and sexist beauty standards. Assimilation was challenging, but Danielle became the "Token Black Girl," striving for social cache while climbing the media ladder, all while facing demeaning questions and assumptions from colleagues. After years of suppressing her emotions and true self, she turned a critical eye inward, confronting the motivations behind her self-destructive behaviors. With sharp wit and candor, this memoir unpacks the damaging effects of insidious white supremacy in media—both unconscious and strategic—while sharing a personal journey of recovery, celebrating identity, and dismantling social conditioning.
Gabrielle Union Book order (chronological)
Gabrielle Union is an American actress, activist, and author who rose to prominence in the 1990s. She began her career in television sitcoms before moving on to supporting roles in popular teen comedies. Her work is noted for its sharp insights into social issues and strong female characters, offering readers an engaging and thought-provoking experience.



You Got Anything Stronger?
- 272 pages
- 10 hours of reading
But the world has also shown us that we have a lot we still have to fight for- as women, as black women, as mothers, as aging women, as human beings, as friends. In You Got Anything Stronger?, I show you how this ever-changing life presents challenges, even as it gives me moments of pure joy.
We're Going to Need More Wine
- 262 pages
- 10 hours of reading
In this collection of essays, actress Gabrielle Union tells personal and true stories about power, color, gender, feminism, and fame.