'Black Men Deserve Flowers Too': How Brianna Laren is Using Affirmations to Uplift Black Men

Last month, we shared an Instagram carousel titled To The Black Men That Need To Hear This Today, dedicated to honoring Black men with empowering affirmations.

Using the hashtag #BlackMenDeserveFlowersToo, the graphics featured uplifting messages such as "Dear Black Men, your feelings are valid," "Dear Black Men, your vulnerability is strength," and "Dear Black Men, you don't have to carry the weight alone." The post quickly resonated, receiving over 5,000 shares and 120,000 views. Outside of our platform, many prominent Black men such as rapper Jadakiss, music Artist D-Smoke and actor Winston Duke have also engaged with her posts.

The creator behind these words, author Brianna Laren, is also the force behind the inspiring book Black Boys Deserve Flowers Too. Available on Amazon, the book serves as a bouquet of affirmations that celebrate Black boys’ potential and self-worth. Each page reminds young Black men of their inherent brilliance and encourages them to embrace their dreams.

Through her work, Laren continues to create spaces where vulnerability meets strength and self-love becomes a daily practice rather than a distant goal. Her message resonates particularly strongly in today's climate, where the importance of mental health and emotional well-being can no longer be ignored.

In our interview with Laren, she delves into her inspiration for the book, the transformative power of affirmations, and offers advice to parents on how to integrate positive affirmations into their children’s lives.

TQG: What inspired you to write affirmations, and how did that journey begin?

Laren: My journey with affirmations began out of necessity. I needed to heal, to find a way to remind myself of my worth, especially when the world seemed determined to overlook it. I wanted my books to be a space where people who needed it the most could hear the positive words that the world often withholds from us. I've seen the power of a simple, honest affirmation — how it can shift a mindset, bring a little light into dark spaces, and serve as a reminder that you're worthy of love, just as you are.

QG: Why do you believe it's especially important for Black boys to hear affirmations, from the perspective of a mother?

Laren: As a mother, I know how the world treats our sons. Black boys carry so much weight on their shoulders before they even realize it—whether it's stereotypes, expectations, or the pressure to always be 'strong.' I want my son to know that he's allowed to be vulnerable, to feel deeply, and to know that he is loved for who he is, not who society thinks he should be. Affirmations are my way of speaking life into him.

QG: How has incorporating daily affirmations impacted your children's confidence and self-esteem?

Laren: It's been amazing to see. My son, Bam, and my daughter, Bella, have this glow about them—they've learned to carry themselves with a little more pride, a little more certainty. What's truly special is how it comes full circle on those days when I'm struggling, they pour those same words and love back into me. It brings tears to my eyes because I realize they're really listening.

QG: How do you envision your books influencing the mental health and emotional well-being of men?

Laren: I want my books to be a safe space for Black men—a place where they can find the words they may not have heard enough growing up. With books and my new affirmation card deck 'To the Black Man Who Needs to Hear This Today,' my hope is to give them permission to feel, to heal, and to know they're worthy of love and care. It's about breaking down those barriers that say vulnerability is weakness.

QG: What's next in your mission to spread self-love and personal discovery?

Laren: I'm always thinking about new ways to keep the message alive. Right now, I'm working on affirmation cards, digital content, and even limited-edition products that honor Black men in the mental health space. I want to make affirmations something people can see, touch, and carry with them every day.

QG: What guidance would you offer parents wanting to incorporate affirmations into their children's daily routine?

Laren: Start small, affirmations don't have to be this big, formal thing. It's about making it a habit, like brushing your teeth. You can start with a simple 'You are enough' in the morning or before bed and have them repeat it. Look for little moments to affirm your kids—after they finish a hard assignment, when they feel down, or just because. What matters is that they hear it from you and that they start to believe it themselves.