Black Girl Day Off

Black Girl Day Off is observed every year on October 11. It is a special day set aside to encourage Black women to take a “mental day off” — to rest, renew, reflect, and prioritize their emotional and mental well‑being.

History of Black Girl Day Off

The concept of Black Girl Day Off emerged in 2020, founded by Tomeka Casanova in response to the disproportionate stress and burdens shouldered by Black women. Casanova and others recognized that chronic stress — especially when compounded by racial and gender inequities — is a serious health risk.

While the idea is relatively recent, it resonates deeply with longstanding calls for self‑care, mental health awareness, and healing within Black communities. Over time, Black Girl Day Off has grown into a movement — not merely a date, but a reminder and a permission slip for Black women to pause, reflect, and care for themselves.

Why is Black Girl Day Off important?

This day matters because it acknowledges a truth often sidelined: Black women frequently carry heavy emotional, social, and professional burdens, often without adequate rest or support. Black Girl Day Off names that reality and gently says: it’s okay, even necessary, to take a day for yourself. It shifts the narrative from “always doing” toward “sometimes being.”

In recognizing that mental health is not a luxury but essential, the day also pushes back against cultural stigma. It invites collective awareness about the effects of stress, burnout, and invisibility — and the importance of communal and systemic support.

Here are some simple, human truths about what makes this day meaningful:

• it gives permission to slow down when the world expects speed
• it reminds that self‑care is radical in a society that undervalues Black women
• it fosters solidarity — you’re not alone in needing rest
• it opens space for honest conversations about mental health
• it honors your personhood beyond productivity

How to Observe Black Girl Day Off

Observing Black Girl Day Off doesn’t require grand gestures. The goal is to make the day restorative, gentle, and centered on what you need. Perhaps you take the day off work (if possible), or carve out a few hours when you don’t answer emails or do chores. Give yourself permission to simply be.

You might spend part of the day in quiet reflection, journaling your feelings or dreams. Or you could gather with a trusted friend or small group, talking openly about mental health, sharing stories, or simply sitting in companionable silence. If you’re able, you might engage in a favorite form of restoration: a walk in nature, a massage, reading, listening to music, or creating art.

Here are some ideas you might try:

• wake up without an alarm and drink coffee slowly
• turn off notifications and digital distractions for a portion or all of the day
• take a gentle walk, stretch, or move your body in a way that feels good
• call or meet a friend just to talk — not to “do” anything
• write a letter to yourself or engage in creative expression

Black Girl Day Off Dates Table