The King Center COO, Bonita Hampton Smith Released A Collection Of Letters Among Women, “Dear White Woman Dear Black Woman”

“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

[ATLANTA, GA] April 7, 2025 — Chief Operating Officer to The King Center, Bonita Hampton Smith, has just released a collection of letters from an array of black and white women written to each other discussing cultural differences, racial inequalities and more with an intent to encourage empathy and healing between races. Titled, Dear White Woman Dear Black Woman, these heartfelt letters are raw and unfiltered and sure to inspire dialogue between races.

Birthed as a result of the death of George Floyd, Smith felt there was a real need for conversation across racial lines. “Each letter is a testament to bravery, a stride toward healing,” says Hampton Smith. “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.”

Within the book, there are 56 letters written, half from Black women and half from White women, each with a unique title summarizing the message. For example:

• “I Thought Our Struggles Were the Same”

• “Doing Good Without Fear”

• “Seeing & Celebrating Our Differences”

• “Pulling Scales of Your Eyes”

• “Linking Arms as Your Sister”

• “Duality of Similarity”

• “Moving Past My Assumptions”

• “Living in Unspoken Segregation”

• “Finding My Place in the Solution”

• “When Action Causes More Harm Than Good”

• “Seeing Me in this Fight”

• “A Student in Search of Truth”

• “It’s Time to Get Uncomfortable”

• “Celebrating Without Apology”

• “White Woman’s Tears”

• “What Allyship Demands”

In one of the letters from Monique, she says,

“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 a letter from Jenn, she says,

“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…”

As a result of this open dialogue, Smith birthed the launch of the Dear White Woman Dear Black Woman Curated Conversations That Matter series—an initiative designed to foster healing, bridge divides, and create a pathway to innerstanding and reconciliation between Black and White women.

The goal of this transformative conversation series is to ignite a love movement, empowering women to work together in meaningful ways to move humanity forward. While the conversation begins with Black and White women, the vision extends to all women—creating inclusive spaces where women from all backgrounds can come together, share their truths, and build genuine connection and understanding.

Dear White Woman, Dear Black Womanis now available in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats through major online retailers like Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.