Two-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson has always been a huge advocate for women in sports, and she’s been transparent on her life journey as a Black girl who grew up in South Carolina. Despite her many accolades: 2024 All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game assistant coach, 2x WNBA MVP, 2x WNBA “Defensive Player of the Year” and WNBA Finals MVP, the Las Vegas Aces power forward’s newest accolade may just blow the others out of the water.
Wilson recently landed herself on The New York Times Bestselling list for her new book, Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You. Released on February 6, 2024, the book is already doing what it intended—affirming Black women to be our authentic selves.
“The biggest thing I want Black girls to take away is to run your race at your own pace. We live in a world where we get hit by so many things, whether it’s social media, family or friends, and we tend to lose sight of who we are within,” Wilson shares with EBONY from the STARRY lounge at All-Star Weekend.
“That’s what we need to care about the most: our mental health. If I can turn the clock back, that’s what I would tell young A’ja: just run your race at your own pace; you’re good. You are fully equipped to tackle anything in front of you. Take your time and have your days, whether that means you’re happy or sad. It doesn’t matter. Just have your days and live your truth.”
Taking a pause from her hectic multi-city book tour, the WNBA star popped into Indiana to join her STARRY soda family for some fun during the recent 2024 All-Star Weekend festivities. From the brand’s STARRY AR3NA: Presented by Lem & Lime to sponsoring the NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T, Wilson was truly in the mix and had one of the best vantage points for all the action.
“STARRY gives fans the total experience. They even have a ‘shoot your shot’ activation where fans can win prizes and step into our shoes as pros. It’s been a ton of fun. It’s taking me away from being a ball player and allowing me to be a person. This weekend has been super busy but definitely blessed.”
Even with her busy and on-the-go schedule, you can guarantee the new author always looks her best. A true beauty girl to her core, she also let us in on hair and skin must-haves.
“I have an Aquaphor jug that I always keep with me because I have to stay moisturized,” she says. “With me being on my book tour, I’ve had so much makeup on my face, and I have to take care of my skin. So my moisturizer and sunscreen are always with me, as well as my edge brush and my lash brush.”
