Aeshia DeVore Branch set out on a mission to encourage Black women to stay fit and healthy, and she’s doing just that as the CEO of Pretty Girls Sweat. On Feb. 26, the adidas Cornerstone Community and WISH hosted a community event that featured a fitness workout by Branch and her Pretty Girls Sweat team. Branch was honored as one of the Black women leaders impacting the community with her work, and the adidas Cornerstone Community gave the founder her flowers.
Branch spoke with rolling out about Pretty Girls Sweat and encouraging fitness for Black women.
What have you been most proud of with Pretty Girls Sweat?
One thing I’m proud of the most when it comes to Pretty Girls Sweat is how we are changing the face of fitness. When I was younger looking through fitness magazines, I really didn’t see many women who looked like me in those magazines or any women who look like the girls who are participating in our health leadership programs. It’s really important for me to kind of change that because how can a girl who’s not active get inspired if they don’t see someone who looks like them moving their body? Fitness doesn’t look one way. It’s not one color. It’s not one shape. It’s not one race. It’s not one nationality. It’s not one religion. At the end of the day, you need to see a representation of yourself moving their body, and then you’ll want to do it too.
What are the benefits of fitness for Black women?
There are so many benefits when it comes to being active. Whether it’s relieving stress, which we are dealing with on a daily basis, whether you are working a full-time job, you are a mother, or you are a caregiver for your parents. Having time for yourself to really pour into yourself and make yourself a priority is by far one of the best ways to take care of your health, your mental health, your physical health, and relieve stress. That’s number one. Number two, when you find a friendship group, that is one of the most powerful things you can ever do. My number one advice for women of color is to find your tribe, find your girl group that’s going to hold you accountable, and make sure you work out because that’s going to be a friendship, or a friend group friendship that’s going to last for a lifetime. You’re gonna look cute and fine for the rest of your lives together.
What are some words of encouragement that you would give to women?
Three words, Pretty Girls Sweat. You are beautiful inside and out. I get so many comments on why I name this organization and this movement Pretty Girls Sweat, and it’s because we are all pretty, we are all beautiful. Until we recognize and believe that, we won’t show up for ourselves. If you beat yourself up every day thinking you’re not enough, you’re not cute enough, or you’re not this, you won’t focus on yourself because you feel like you’re not worth it. When you believe that pretty girls sweat every day, you’re gonna do something for yourself. Even if it’s not a workout, you’re gonna sweat in the office. You’re gonna sweat when it comes to taking care of your kids. Pretty Girls Sweat reminds you of that every single day.
