Pretty&Ghetto Girl of the Month: A Voice for the Unseen – Meet the Queen Behind Black Girl with Sickle Cell
A Voice for the Unseen: Meet the Queen Behind Black Girl with Sickle Cell
At Pretty&Ghetto, we don’t just highlight success — we honor the journeys that make our community powerful. This month, we’re celebrating a queen whose courage is creating change, one story at a time. Meet Aiyannah, the fierce, creative voice behind the Black Girl with Sickle Cell podcast — a platform born from pain, built with purpose, and rooted in love for her people.
Living With What They Don’t Understand
Aiyannah was born with sickle cell anemia — a chronic illness that affects the shape of red blood cells and causes severe pain, fatigue, and life-threatening complications. It's a condition that disproportionately impacts Black communities, yet still lives in the shadows due to a lack of education, support, and visibility.
“As I got older, I realized not many people — even at the jobs I worked — knew what sickle cell was,” she shared. And like many women from under-resourced communities, she found herself not only fighting for her health but also fighting to be heard.
Sickle cell doesn’t just hit the body — it affects everything. Missed work. Medical bills. Misunderstanding. Mental strain. And the burden doesn’t fall on the individual alone. Families are stretched emotionally, financially, and spiritually — trying to hold it all together with limited resources and little recognition.
Creating Her Own Lane
Tired of the silence and driven to be a voice for the unheard, Aiyannah launched the Black Girl with Sickle Cell podcast in 2023. What started as her personal outlet quickly became a safe space for others living with the same condition to share their truth.
“Not hearing a lot of stories like mine — and not enough people knowing about sickle cell — that’s what pushed me to start,” she said.
Her mission is clear: raise awareness, break stigma, and connect with others through honest conversations. Every episode is a reminder that Black women with chronic illnesses are here, we matter, and we’re not alone.
And sis, her voice doesn’t just inform — it transforms. She's changing the narrative and giving our community the education and empathy we’ve always deserved.
Why Pretty&Ghetto Speaks to Her
For Aiyannah, being part of the Pretty&Ghetto community is about more than support — it’s about visibility.
“Pretty and Ghetto and my podcast both inspire, motivate, and empower Black women,” she said. “Being part of this community means being seen and heard as a Black woman.”
Empowerment, to her, is taking control of your story — even when the odds are stacked. It’s speaking life into others while navigating your own battles. And she does that every day, with grace and grit.
The Weight She Carries, and Still She Rises
Let’s talk real. Living with sickle cell — especially in our community — means dealing with a lot. Doctors don’t always listen. Employers don’t always care. And the cost? Physically, financially, and mentally? It’s heavy.
Many with this disease struggle to keep jobs, lose income during flare-ups, and are forced to explain their illness over and over again. Add the emotional toll of not being believed or understood — and it becomes exhausting.
But Aiyannah shows up anyway. She uses her platform to speak not just for herself but for every Black girl who’s felt invisible, tired, and pushed aside. “I just try to speak up for myself and others and let the world know what’s real,” she said. And that truth is powerful.
What's Next for the Queen
In June, Aiyannah is expanding her impact with a podcast series that highlights Black men living with sickle cell. Because yes — our brothers are hurting too. Often in silence. And she’s making sure their voices are heard, too.
Looking ahead, she sees herself stepping fully into her purpose: “Being a big influence, a spokesperson, and helping the sickle cell community way more,” she said. And trust — she’s already doing that and more.
Beyond the Mic
She’s not just a podcaster — she’s a creator through and through. “A lot of people don’t know I make all my content myself,” she shared. From designing visuals to editing audio, she’s a one-woman production team. And when she needs to recharge? “I watch my favorite shows or listen to music,” she said. Because healing also looks like joy and rest.
For Every Black Woman With a Dream
To any woman reading this who feels overlooked, underestimated, or unsure if her dream makes sense — Aiyannah wants you to know:
“Never give up, no matter how far or big your goal may be. Keep pushing. Be consistent every day and believe in yourself — even if everyone else thinks it’s crazy.”
Sometimes your purpose is born from your pain. Sometimes your platform comes from simply refusing to be silent.
✨ Ready to be inspired and learn more?
Check out the Black Girl with Sickle Cell podcast and follow Aiyannah on social media to support her journey and share her message with your tribe.
🎧 Podcast: Check out the podcast on You tube, Spotify and Soundcloud
📱 Instagram: @Blackgirlwithsicklecellpod
Let’s give this queen her flowers now — and keep amplifying the voices that deserve to be heard. 💐👑
Show her some love — leave a comment, share it with your community, and let her know she’s seen and celebrated.