CaShawn Thompson

CaShawn Thompson created the phrase #BlackGirlMagic in 2013 — three words that became a global cultural movement celebrating the beauty, excellence, and resilience of Black women and girls. What began as a Twitter post became a rallying cry, a hashtag with billions of impressions, a concept adopted by politicians, celebrities, and brands worldwide, and a fundamental shift in how Black women's achievements are celebrated in popular culture.

Thompson, a writer and creative based in the Washington, D.C., area, coined the term to celebrate the accomplishments of everyday Black women — not just celebrities but teachers, mothers, artists, scientists, and community leaders whose achievements often went unrecognized. The phrase resonated because it named something that Black women already knew: that they possessed a particular grace and power that the world often overlooked or took for granted.

#BlackGirlMagic has been used by Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and countless others. It has appeared on magazine covers, in congressional resolutions, and in academic papers. Thompson has spoken about how the phrase was always meant to be inclusive and affirming — not a claim of supernatural ability but a recognition of the extraordinary things Black women accomplish despite systemic barriers. She created a vocabulary of celebration that the world adopted.