A Call to Healing and Sisterhood Through Honest Dialogue
Bonita Hampton Smith, Chief Operating Officer at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, has released a compelling new book titled Dear White Woman Dear Black Woman. This collection of letters between Black and White women delves into cultural differences, racial inequality, and personal truths with an overarching intent to promote empathy, understanding, and healing across racial lines.
Inspired by the death of George Floyd and the urgent need for honest dialogue, Smith envisioned the project as a bold step toward reconciliation. “Each letter is a testament to bravery, a stride toward healing,” she says. “By revealing our unfiltered truths and embracing them with open hearts, we cultivate a profound space for authentic transformation and deep innerstanding between Black and White women. This is the genesis of healing our nation—one honest, courageous conversation at a time. Together, we can pave the way to a love-conscious and love-centered culture.”
The book features 56 deeply personal letters—half written by Black women and half by White women—each bearing a title that reflects the theme of the message. Some of these include: “I Thought Our Struggles Were the Same,” “Seeing & Celebrating Our Differences,” “Living in Unspoken Segregation,” and “What Allyship Demands.”
In one of the letters, Monique writes, “Dear White Woman, I have borne witness to your profound ability to remove yourself from the gross injustices that systemic racism inflicted on Black women in this country. I do not have the privilege to erase the aggressions that I experience in every facet of my life — from running errands at a grocery store, to my workplace environment, to the ivory tower that is the higher education system. Black women are constantly reminded we are indeed working harder than you and often paid less. We, Black women, are mentoring black youth within our reach, and we are eagerly pouring back into communities that bring us wellness, all while trying to preserve our own hearts, love on our dear ones, and live full, joyful lives.”
In another letter, Jenn writes, “Dear Black Woman, when I leaned into the healing still needed for Black and White women to feel like true sisters, I got cold feet to send my letter. I became insecure and I asked myself, what could I possibly contribute to help us continue forward in a healing to sisterhood? I concluded this one, very important, message: I LOVE YOU. Even though this message encapsulates all I want to say, we owe it to each other to exchange about everything and anything. These are hard conversations, but we empower ourselves with the ability to talk to each other. So, here is my lengthier note to you beyond the short of I LOVE YOU: My beloved sister…”
The release of the book also marks the launch of the Dear White Woman Dear Black Woman: Curated Conversations That Matter series—an initiative created to further the mission of building understanding and reconciliation between Black and White women. This conversation series seeks to inspire a broader love movement, encouraging women to come together in honest dialogue, forging connections that transcend race, background, and history.
Though the conversation begins between Black and White women, the larger vision is one of unity among all women. Smith’s hope is to create inclusive, safe spaces where women from all walks of life can share their stories and build true, lasting connection.
Dear White Woman, Dear Black Woman is now available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats through major online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Order the book online at Amazon.
“This book is a timely and necessary contribution to the ongoing conversation about race, equality, and justice. Dear White Woman Dear Black Woman is a testament to the power of words to heal, unite, and inspire. It is a call to action for all of us to engage in the meaningful conversation that foster empathy, respect, and understanding as the first and most important step to real and lasting change.”
—Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO, The King Center
“This collection of letters is a powerful reminder that when women unite — across differences and through shared stories — we create the foundation for meaningful change and enduring progress.”
—Pat Mitchell, author of Becoming a Dangerous Woman and co-founder of TEDWomen and Project Dandelion
ABOUT BONITA T. HAMPTON SMITH
Bonita T. Hampton Smith is a visionary leader dedicated to uplifting women, inspiring leaders, and transforming lives. She is an inspirational speaker, certified nonviolence trainer, and author of Echoes of My Soul and the children’s book Linzy Binzy, Around the World with Friends. In her role as Chief Operations Officer at The King Center, Smith continues to work toward building love-centered cultures and meaningful change.
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