A year ago, Journi Prewitt worked with her mother Shauntay Prewitt to create something beautiful for all the little black girls out there.

Black Butterfly Beautiful is a monthly subscription box with items such as books, toys, cards, treats and accessories that are geared towards building esteem in black girls. The box was recently featured in Blavity's Favorite Things as a great Christmas gift to give this year, and as you can see, it is a great gift for many reasons.

Each month, the boxes are themed. For example, according to Commercial Appeal, the box had a Halloween theme back in October. However, instead of ghosts and goblins, it featured information on songstress Nina Simone. Known as the High Priestess of Soul, one of Simone’s famous songs was “I Put a Spell on You.” And each box features a Monarch of the Month — as in Monarch butterfly — which are women like Simone, Oprah Winfrey and others.

Journi's favorite book is “For Colored Girls Who Have Committed Suicide/ When the Rainbow is Enuf” and says the idea of turning her love of reading and black heritage into a business opportunity called to her more loudly than the crowds.

“It took a sacrifice,” said Journi. “I gave up my favorite sport to start my business. I’ve done competitive cheerleading since the ninth grade, so this year, I had to choose: 'Do I want to be a competitive cheerleader, or do I want to be an entrepreneur?'”

So far, it looks like Journi made the right choice.

In addition to Black Butterfly Beautiful, Journi recently added a new box called Black Dragonfly. The new box is geared toward African American boys.

“In August, my little brother was saying, ‘I want a box, too, with all this great stuff! So now, we have Black Dragonfly. It’s more centered toward boys, with games and books.”

Even at 17 years old, Journi is using her magic to bring out the magic in other black boys and girls, and that's what it's all about.

Memphis

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