The Beauty Files: Elizabeth DeHaan
Welcome to the Beauty Files, a series where we will uncover the behind the scenes stories of our Issue 6 Beauty Contributors and what they believe about beauty as Black women artists and creatives. Next up we have Spoken Black Girl Beauty Contributor, Elizabeth DeHaan whose poem “Aging” appears in Spoken Black Girl Issue 6 Beauty.
What inspired your piece featured in Spoken Black Girl: Beauty?
My poem, "Aging" was inspired by my own aging process. I am 36 and am at a place in my life that looks very different than what I imagined it would be. There are time and moments where I am incredibly harsh towards myself, and wanted to write a piece where I honor my body as it ages, not berate it for doing what it is meant to do.
What does beauty mean to you today? Has that definition changed over time?
To me true beauty is being a beautiful person inside and out. I truly believe that if you take the time to beautify your soul, your outward appearance will reflect what is on the inside.
What role has writing, art, or creativity played in your self-expression and healing journey?
Writing and art have given me the tools to process my emotions on my own time and in my own way. Both mediums have allowed me to be playful and tap into parts of my inner child that I didn't even know needed healing. It's been so beautiful to see my healing journey come full circle, which I have only been able to see as I've gotten older.
How do you hope your work contributes to the larger conversation around beauty and Black womanhood?
I hope my poem affirms and inspires Black women and girls like me. I hope it serves as a reminder and a catalyst.
What would you tell a younger Black girl about beauty that you wish you’d known sooner?
I would tell them to not spend so much time wishing they were someone else or wishing they looked different, because you are a masterpiece. There is only one person on the planet that is you, don't spend the few precious years we have on earth, wishing you were someone else.
What are you currently working on or excited about sharing next?
I am currently working on building my holistic wellness business, Essence Wellness Collective, where I offer healing modalities such as yoga, sound baths, and journaling. I am also working on my memoir; which is a collection of personal essays and poetry about dismantling the racial lies that we have been told.
More About Elizabeth:
Elizabeth DeHaan is a first-generation American and a Cum Laude graduate from FIU with her B. A in Psychology. Residing in NYC, she has worked in multiple sectors including media, law, policy advocacy, higher education, profit and nonprofit sector. She is currently working at Alight has an Executive Assistant in the Executive Office. Her creative pursuits include being a published author in poetry, and nonfiction. She is the creative force behind enovaturient.com, an RYT Certified yoga instructor, and the sole proprietor of Essence Wellness Collective, a holistic wellness business. She currently serves as the Treasurer for the Board of Directors for UnLocal and on the board of OffWorque.
