Tools for Brighter Days
A Message from Nyla…
“I started Black Girl Standing in the Sun because I know how it feels to carry anxiety quietly. I also know how powerful it can be when you learn tools, find support, and realize that other people understand what you're going through. My hope is that this space helps teens feel less alone and more confident about taking care of their mental health.”
Meet Nyla Hopkins
Nyla Hopkins is a high school student who knows firsthand that growing up can come with a lot of change—and sometimes, a lot of anxiety.
Over the course of her young life, Nyla has lived in five different states, attended multiple schools, experienced online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and even spent time at a boarding school far from home. Each of these experiences helped shape who she is today, but they also brought challenges that many young people quietly face.
Like many teens, Nyla spent years navigating her anxiety privately. It wasn’t until her freshman year of high school, while attending boarding school, that the seriousness of her struggles became clear to both her and her family. What was meant to be an exciting opportunity became an environment that highlighted just how important mental health support truly is.
With the support of her family, Nyla began working with professionals, learning new coping strategies, reading, and exploring tools that helped her better understand anxiety and how to manage it.
Those resources made a real difference.
And they inspired something bigger.
Why Black Girl Standing in the Sun Exists
Black Girl Standing in the Sun was created to give teens a space where conversations about anxiety and mental health feel normal, honest, and safe. Many young people today are growing up in a world filled with rapid change, uncertainty, and pressures that previous generations did not face in the same way—from navigating school disruptions during the pandemic to witnessing global conflict, school violence, and personal loss in their communities.
For many teens, these experiences can create feelings of worry, isolation, or overwhelm that often go unspoken.
Black Girl Standing in the Sun exists to remind young people that they are not alone. By sharing real stories, practical tools, and supportive conversations, the platform encourages teens to understand their emotions, seek support when they need it, and develop healthy ways to navigate anxiety. The goal is simple: to help young people feel seen, supported, and confident that even during difficult seasons, they can still stand in their own light.
Our Mission
Black Girl Standing in the Sun is dedicated to helping young people navigate anxiety and mental health with honesty, compassion, and hope.
By sharing real experiences and encouraging open dialogue, this platform aims to remind teens that:
They are not alone
Their mental health matters
Asking for help is a sign of strength
And even on difficult days, they can still stand in their own light
Contact us
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