For author Thaïs Bass-Moore, syllabi are not only essential for the classroom, but they are for life as a black woman. This year, Bass-Moore wrote and published her new book “A Syllabus for Black Women: 110 Life Lessons for Sistahs in College,” which focuses on the struggles women face while balancing life as a college student.

Story by Linda Hamilton

Illustration by Esther Shin

Bass-Moore currently serves as a faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin in the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence and is co-founder of the Fearless Leadership Institute, an academic, professional and personal development initiative for African American and Latina women. With her book, she tells the struggles of herself and other women, while giving advice and guidance on how to deal with topics that many are uncomfortable to speak about out loud. Her new book unpacks the true realities of life and the college experience, exploring the good, the bad and ugly of it all. Bass-Moore said she was inspired to write the book while on the road with her husband.

“My husband (and I) were driving through East Cleveland … and there was just so much degradation and demise there,” Bass-Moore said. “I saw lots of black girls walking around in the middle of the day doing nothing, and you could tell they weren’t living their lives to full capacity.”

When it comes to women’s accomplishments, especially those of color, the weight of imposter syndrome can feel heavy due to the frequency of racial discrimination and combating negative stereotypes about intellectual inferiority. Also, with this comes the reality that many women of color tend to feel this way due to feeling othered in predominantly white or exclusive spaces. Bass-Moore is transparent about these struggles in her book.

“While I was reading it, it really spoke about long-term goals and loving yourself, and it just put me in a better mood,” said Kimberly Nwaneri, a supply chain management sophomore.

For 1,298 African American college women at UT, it is apparent that being outnumbered in such a big university can be draining. “A Syllabus for Black Women” encourages others to take the weight off of their shoulders through self-reflection and fixing what they can on the inside to make their lives better on the outside.

“I think a lot of times we get so caught up in our own issues that we forget to think, ‘How can I love on somebody else?’ Bass-Moore said. “Sometimes that takes the focus off of your own issue, and it opens up the door to be helped with yours, as well.”

Some may be curious as to why they would need a book titled “A Syllabus for Black Women,” but in reality the book was created for all women, Bass-Moore said. When she first began writing the book, she said, it was targeted toward African American women, but once she arrived at UT it was more about all of the women who she was blessed to be surrounded by.

“I would want (readers) to react to it by looking inwardly and seeing what (in the book) they can identify with, seeing what in their life lines up with the book, even if it’s not exactly the same,” Bass-Moore said.

Bass-Moore finished her book during her time in graduate school, obtaining her degree in human dimensions organizations at UT. She said finishing her book helped to improve her confidence as an author.

Communications studies sophomore Deiondra Shorts said what she found most impactful about the book was its mention of spirituality and love.

“My favorite lesson from the book was the first lesson about how God is love and love is God,” Shorts said. “Because when it comes to love, it can be displayed in various ways, and its power can overcome anything.”

The book’s purpose stems from personal growth and the realities of acknowledging one’s mistakes while not forgetting to love themselves.

“I just hope it gets into the hands of every black woman in college,” Bass-Moore said. “If it gets into other women’s hands, great, I hope it does because my sisters need it.”

Paperback copies of Bass-Moore’s book are available for purchase on Amazon now.