Day 26: Nyakim Gatwech: The Woman Dubbed the “Queen of the Dark”

February 26, 2018

Born January 24, 1993, Sudanese-American model Nyakim Gatwech used to be made fun of for her dark skin. Growing up in a refugee camp up until the age of 14, Nyakim first fell in love with modeling and acting while watching ANTM (that’s “America’s Next Top Model” for all of you that don’t know) and perusing fashion magazines. She never felt different, nor was she ever made to feel as though her skin was something “dirty.” No, no. It wasn’t until she moved to America that she questioned her looks.

As a middle school child in America, other children stared at her, laughed at her, and made racist remarks regarding her skin. She’s been asked by various people if she would consider bleaching her skin so she can be lighter—she went viral after sharing her story of being in an Uber in which the drive asked if she would bleach her skin for $10,000. Sis told him no and told him that she considers her skin to be a blessing. *Tell him girl! Ain’t no shame in ya melanin game! *

Nyakim has overcome self-esteem issues (she considered bleaching her skin at one point because of what people said about her) and found an incredible amount of self-love for herself, appreciating her beautiful skin and being proud of her complexion.

Through Instagram, Nyakim is showing just how beautiful dark skin is, challenging what society has dubbed “the norm” and inspiring young men and women to embrace the skin they are in.

"My skin right now is being used as a weapon to show the world different is beautiful,” Nyakim told Huffington Post. “I'm using my skin colour as a tool to inspire other people to love themselves and be OK with who they are. There's nothing wrong with being different.”

Now 25, Nyakim is putting her energy and efforts into her modeling career and, one day, hopes to be an elementary teacher.