Upspoken Women to Follow on Instagram

We’re showing love to women who embody all that it means to be an Upspoken woman by unapologetically speaking up for themselves and living their lives like it’s golden. Every time one of these women pop up on our Instagram feed, we can’t help but smile and feel inspired by their authenticity and brilliance.

Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapinkettsmith)

Living legend, Jada Pinkett Smith’s career has evolved and expanded greatly over the past three decades in the entertainment industry. She’s graced countless roles on the big and small screen and most recently she’s taken a seat on her show Red Table Talk, where she’s joined by her mother and daughter as they provide their commentary on social and cultural issues from an inter-generational perspective. Filmed inside their home, their candid and unfiltered conversations cover a range of topics related to Black women’s identity, love, life, and relationships. 

Yara Shahidi (@yarashahidi)

Grown-ish star, Yara Shahidi, is a force to be reckoned with. The 19-year-old actor, model, and activist has co-founded an organization that encourages youth-voter engagement, is friends with Michelle Obama and has plans to attend Harvard in the fall. As one of the many inspirational voices of Gen Z, Yara embodies the change she wants to see in the world. 

Nicole Byer (@nicolebyer)

You may recognize her from the Netflix baking competition show, Nailed It, she hilariously hosts as amateur bakers struggle to replicate extremely complex cakes and other desserts. When the comedienne is not hosting her hit Netflix show, she’s traveling around the country performing stand-up and improv comedy shows or flexing on the ‘gram with her friends. The television personality loves the body she’s in and is not afraid to show it! She often hashtags her photos with #veryfatverybrave, acknowledging the idea that her body is for no one’s consumption by reclaiming the power to wear whatever she feels comfortable in. Follow Nicole for a laugh and to keep up with her bustling life and career. 

Tina Lawson (@mstinalawson) 

We appreciate Mrs. Tina’s presence on this millennial-dominated social media platform, she reminds us of our favorite Auntie. Best known for blessing us with the gifts that are Beyoncé and Solange, Mrs. Tina has a life and legacy of her own. As a philanthropist and businesswoman, she has partnered with several advocacy organizations that work with youth mentorship programs and the arts. She’s also been publicly open about her journey to find love again after a divorce. Her relationship with Richard Lawson is an untraditional love story that required Tina to do some soul searching and clearly define what she wanted out of a partner and a marriage. 

Alencia Johnson (@alenciajohnson) 

Coming from an impressive background in political consulting and advocacy work, Alencia is a communications professional who works to advise corporations, political figures, and non-profits on how to authentically engage with women and communities of color. She’s most notably held positions for Planned Parenthood, where she has worked to advocate for health issues that disproportionately affect Black women. We know that representation matters, and we’re proud to have Alencia as a leader in the Black women’s health space. 

Sure, Instagram can sometimes feel inauthentic, but it’s also a platform where we can see our sisters own their truth. These women, among many others, serve as reminders to confidently live our best lives.