Ari Lennox leads with her heart, and developed her steady confidence over time. Growing up in Maryland, Lennox felt out of place, but everything changed when she moved to Washington D.C. “Life started getting fun after that,” says Lennox. Attending a primarily black school, Lennox no longer felt like an outsider, and was able to embrace her beauty in new ways. She eventually stopped using the word “black” altogether, and now affectionately refers to those who share her skin color as “chocolate.” The way Lennox expresses this word, and her overall appreciation for life, makes it impossible to ignore the love she has for herself and her culture.