TOKEN BLACK GIRL

More about the book

Racial identity, pop culture, and the pursuit of perfection intertwine in this eye-opening memoir by fashion insider Danielle Prescod. Growing up Black in a predominantly white elite community, Danielle felt her identity rendered invisible by the whitewashed media she and her peers consumed. This led her to conform to damaging ideals, starting with painful chemical hair treatments in elementary school and food deprivation during puberty, all in an effort to fit into a narrow standard of beauty. Her obsession drove her into a career in fashion, where she became the "Token Black Girl," striving for social acceptance while enduring racist and sexist remarks from colleagues. Despite her success in coveted media roles, she buried her emotions and true self under the weight of societal expectations. Eventually, Danielle took a critical look at her self-destructive behaviors and the factors behind them. With sharp wit and candor, she explores the harmful effects of white supremacy in media—both unconscious and strategic—while sharing her journey of recovery, celebrating her identity, and challenging ingrained social conditioning.