Mother's Day weekend kicked off in the most beautiful way on Friday when two icons — activist Angela Davis and writer Nikki Giovanni — appeared in their first-ever live conversation. 

The two legends joined GirlTrek's FB Live and spoke at length about various topics focused on the healing and liberation of Black women, sharing important survival and self-care secrets to help guide women during challenging times. You can watch it below: 


GirlTrek is a national health movement that activates thousands of Black women to be change-makers in their lives and communities through walking. The program was the kickstart of the organization's #DaughterOf campaign, which encourages women to celebrate the Black women, mothers and foremothers in their lineage and the lessons they passed down.

During the historic candid conversation between the two women, which has amassed more than 600K views so far, the legends spoke on everything including self-care, beauty, politics, writing, friendship and liberation. The conversation, which was hosted by GirlTrek co-founders Vanessa Garrison and Morgan Dixon, was surely a memorable one, as people shared the wealth of knowledge that was given across social media.

Here are some of the most memorable gems from the conversation.

1. Davis reminded us to be brave, bold and courageous.

The political activist revealed she was fearful while imprisoned on charges related to the 1970 Marin County, California, courthouse shooting.

Although she said she never considered herself brave, her candid thoughts reminded people to commit to their passions even when afraid.

2. Davis encouraged us to reflect and remember the Black women whose names we haven't been taught.

Davis also made it a point to encourage people to reflect on the women who stepped up in various ways but whose individual contributions haven’t been recorded.

"The Black women whose names we do not know are the ones who have gotten us here today. Black women organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott. We are here as a direct consequence of poor Black women," a Twitter user quoted from Davis.

Giovanni echoed her sentiments, saying in part that your ancestors aren't limited to your bloodline but rather those who have helped nurture and inspire you. Her thoughts resonated with a person on Twitter who said her relationships with other Black women are what sustain her.

3. Giovanni gave the ladies the tea on how to date.

Without censoring herself, Giovanni, who asked to be referred to by her first name, gave some insight on how to pick and choose them.

While her advice may have been off the cuff, she shared only the truth, which resonated with some Twitter users. 

"If he doesn't have any books, don't f**k him," Giovanni said.

4. The poet also reminded us how to go about loving ourselves.

For those looking to get to the essence of self-care, the women had some advice.

"Tell yourself you are wonderful. Keep the f**k saying it," a Twitter user quoted from Giovanni.

The “Nikki-Rosa” poet also imparted why we can’t seek validation from those intent on our oppression.

“You’re looking for people who hate you to tell you you’re pretty,” she said on the subject of Black beauty pageant contestants. 

Davis then reminded us that our beauty lies within.

"We focus far too much on physical appearance and we internalize standards of beauty that have nothing to do with beauty," Davis said. "Beauty is about freedom. Beauty is about liberation. It's not just about surface physical appearance."

5. The women highlighted the importance of friendship while remembering the late Toni Morrison.

The ladies name-dropped their friend Toni Morrison throughout the conversation, often reflecting on various memories. Through pictures and recounts of cherished moments spent together, it was evident that Davis and Giovanni found true friendship with the late author. 

The expression of their love for Morrison touched people on Twitter.

6. Davis reminded us: "The work that we do creates a terrain for the future."

The last topic to be discussed during the conversation was the brutal killing of Ahmaud Arbery, who was gunned down on a Georgia street back in February, as Blavity previously reported. Although the incident occurred at the beginning of the year, the story took on a new life once a video of the shooting appeared online.

As the world reflected on another life unnecessarily taken too soon, people went out to run 2.23 miles in honor of Arbery on Friday.

When asked what we should be doing during this time, Davis highlighted how the work we put in on a quest for justice will serve as a guide for future generations.

"The work that we do creates a terrain for the future. I like to think about the fact that we wouldn't do what we're doing if it wasn’t for the people who came before us," Davis said. "That is why we are here today. Not for ourselves. We do this work for our community."

Angela-DavisGIrlTrekNikki-Giovanni