Former First Lady Michelle Obama grabbed us by the heart the minute she stepped on to the national stage. She became a role model for little girls and grown women too. Her presence just commands a certain type of respect when she enters any room. Her words gripped you right from the start and don’t let go until she is finished speaking. Her style is impeccable. Add on her love for Barack Obama and she has the full package. Here are just a few reasons we are still in love with Michelle Obama.

Her intelligence

Obama is smart. With degrees from Howard University, Princeton University, and Harvard Law School, she is not just smart for a Black girl but smart period. Early on the value of education was instilled in her. Although neither of her parents had a college education, Obama was focus on becoming the second college graduate of her family. Her older brother graduated from Princeton in 1983 and became the basketball coach at Oregon State University and Brown University. Obama followed his steps to Princeton. While attending these prestigious universities, Obama struggled with her identity and thought she could not be “Black and brilliant.”

Her education began in the Chicago public school system. She was an ideal student with a determination to be the best. Although she was bullied and teased, Obama still managed to excel in the classroom saying she used the negative attention as fuel to keep her going. Her star shone even brighter in high school as she took advanced classes and was on the honor roll all four years. Graduating with honors became her thing, as she was an honor high school graduate, cum laude graduate in undergrad, and a top contender at Howard. She is Black excellence personified.

Her Style

In the White House, Obama’s style was timeless and classic. She was often critiqued far harder than any First Lady before her for wearing color and showing off her guns. Whether it is was a solid colored palette or whimsical pattern, it seemed she could wear anything but was restricted due to her title. However, Obama has a style and she owns it.

Now post White House life, Obama has gone for more freeing casual look these days. Whether dressed to the nines or comfy casual, Mrs. O makes sure her clothes make a statement. For example, her look during her speech at the Democratic National Convention spoke volumes. ZakiyaLarry.com’s media and brand expert, Zakiya Larry said her attire was intentional. Here’s why:

Dressed in a chocolate skirt and blouse. She looked stunning in the brown color palette. Her auburn highlights in her hair compliment her skin tone and natural makeup look. Now, something that you probably didn’t consider was how the lighting played in her overall look. Larry said the lighting had golden hues that accented her brown skin to ensure that she could be clearly seen.

Larry dives even further into Obama’s look by telling what three things she is communicating.

Earthy Tones – “Strategically, her color palette created a smooth, cohesive slate reminiscent of soil or "getting grounded"...back to our roots as a nation, so to speak.”

Racial Equity – In recent months the active racism in America has been protesting the active racism in America putting a light on the way Black and brown people are treated. Black lives matter and Obama’s look of brown color tones indicate that representation matters as well. “Though she wears her skin daily, her look and lighting reflected hues of the people crying out right now. The message could be...I see you. I represent you because I am one of you, too. And yet, as a country, we are all one,” said Larry.

Supernova – Larry calls Obama a supernova for how the set behind even plays a part in the totality of her presentation. She wore brown tones. Her set background was mainly lighter shades of brown, almost neutral. But did you notice the one pop of color that was strategically placed over her left shoulder? Sticking out in a bold red and strong blue was the Biden/Harris sign. Larry pointed out, She made sure her presence spoke volumes, but stood down just a bit to keep the focus on the #campaign at hand, via the bright signs in the background.” The ability to both stand out and stand down makes Obama a genius in Larry’s book.

During her tenure as First Lady, she did not outlandish with her attire. Numerous times she got items off the rack, most famously wearing J Crew. And she also used the national eyes always on her as a way to support up and coming designers all the while sticking to the look that worked for her.

Her power

Obama has a tremendous amount of power because of the national platform she has been afforded. Past experiences let Joe Biden know the Cuthbert had to be on his team.

Obama’s accessories did more than just add little touches her look. Her classic pearl earrings were gone. Instead, Obama opted for some custom made jewelry by BYCHARLI and Charli Cuthbert, jewelry designer ad owner. Her “vote” necklace and gold hoop earrings served as a subtle reminder about voting in the upcoming election.

Nearly 2,000 necklaces within the first 12 hours after Obama’s speech aired had been sold. All of a sudden Cuthbert had an awful yet grateful problem. How was she going to fulfill all those orders in a short time with a small staff? That’s what friends and family are for, right?”

Her message

Literally, every time Obama speaks I get fixated into a trance watching and admiring her. She was more than a first lady but she was a changed agent. Every time the former first lady speaks people listen. Clear poignant thought provoking messages helps to fire up voters. Obama’s delivery takes care of the rest. In her speech at the DNC, Obama laid out the truth speaking to Americans like she was talking with a close friend.

She spoke with passion and her face could not hide her compassion. Obama truly thinks America is a great country and loves the people who live here. She knows the heart of the every day American because she has live that kind of life where she juggled working and raising a family. She has a life that had her and Barack at their kitchen table trying to pay bills and grasp the American dream. Obama has a piece of the American dream and wants other Americans to do so too but knows we can’t achieve it with Trump in the White House.

"He cannot meet this moment," she said, speaking of President Donald Trump. "He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us.” She continued, “It is what it is.” Going straight for the jugular, Obama highlighted Trump’s slow response to COVID-19 causing thousands of deaths, countless Americans without jobs, our suffering economy, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

“So if you take one thing from my words tonight, it is this: if you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don't make a change in this election.” The former first lady continued, “If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it.”

Her stance as a Black woman

The more influential women we have of color in the spotlight can only make the future generations of girls that more powerful, more confident, and more opt to change our world. Obama is the kind of woman that little girls of every color can look up and adult women can be inspired by, especially Black and brown women. For far too long, limits have been placed on women holding us back from our true potential. Obama’s influence helps push past that blockage and the nomination of Kamala Harris as the Democratic Vice President nominee pushes it out the way completely.

Our girls need more women like Obama so they don’t think they can’t be brilliant and smart. Girls need to know there’s no job that they can’t do. They need to know they are beautiful in the body and with the skin they have. An untapped power is in their hands if they just know that they possess it and use it properly. Obama’s life is a shining example of what Black excellence looks like in the flesh.

I could go on and on about Michelle’s classiness, poise, and grace. There has been no one like her and it could be hard pressed to find anyone close to her. That’s why she is my forever first lady and why we still love her.