Adwoa Aboah starred on the cover of Edward Enninful’s much-anticipated British Vogue debut issue. The cover – her beauty accentuated by a Marc Jacobs turban and long diamond earrings – made her the model of the moment and forever changed her career.

Aboah is much more than just a beautiful face that graces fashion magazines or walks down the runway. She is a model with a message. Aboah is outspoken and extremely candid about her own coming-of-age story and the struggles she endured. Feeling the need for a social platform for young women to express themselves, she created Gurls Talk, an online community providing a safe haven  for young women, to discuss and share personal and/or social issues without judgment, and to honor the importance of self-care. This supermodel is using her superpower to empower, and we’re here for all of it!

Editor’s Note: In honor of Black History Month, we highlight some of the most influential forces in fashion, in no specific order. Their impact on the culture is undeniable – and we use this time to tip our hats off to their Black excellence.