‘Big Ole Pretty Girls’ founder Yolanda Y’Netta speaks

by The People’s Minister of Information JR

It is well known that in the mainstream television world, white men like women whose rib cages are showing; that is the Hollywood perception of beautiful. While in the real world, Black men like women with curves and high self-esteem who are sure of their mind and bodies.

Yolanda-Y’Netta-189x300, ‘Big Ole Pretty Girls’ founder Yolanda Y’Netta speaks, Culture Currents
Yolanda Y’Netta – Photo: Curtis Jermany, Studio GZ

Yolanda Y’Netta has been thick all of her life and, in 2012, she took her destiny into her own hands by starting to make clothes she liked that fit her. Women around her were interested in the clothing designs and she later expanded to creating a T-shirt line with positive empowering messages for full figured women.

I sat down with Yolanda Y’Netta of “I Love BOPG” to see what makes this entrepreneur tick. Check her out in her own words and check out her line of clothing and T-shirts.

M.O.I. JR: What experiences inspired “I Love BOPG”?

Yolanda Y’Netta: The back story of BOPG was that I couldn’t find anything to wear for NYE, so it was suggested that I make the dress that I was looking for. So I did! Took a photo of it, posted it, and got seven orders for the dress!

So I kept at it because I was tired of not being able to find clothes that would fit my body type and show off my flare for fashion! I’m bold and loud without speaking a word and my presence is commanding!

But I must admit, when I was first called a “BIG OLE PRETTY GIRL,” I was offended! I was so quick to defend myself or find the negative! I stopped and listened to his Down South accent and realized that it was meant as a compliment!

M.O.I. JR: What does it stand for?

Yolanda Y’Netta: It has two meanings. When I started, it was short for “Big Ole Pretty Girls” but more recently this year I’ve had some hard battles and I thought I wasn’t going to make it, but I did – “Because of One Perfect God.” “Because of One Perfect God” this “Big Ole Pretty Girl” lives!

“Big Ole Pretty Girls” is not about your size. It’s about how you live your life!

M.O.I. JR: What made you turn the concept from clothing into a T-shirt line?

Yolanda Y’Netta: Everyone wears T-shirts and what better way to represent and advertise at the same time! The logo is a drawing of me! Nobody can represent you better than you!

Big-Ole-Pretty-Girls-flier-300x196, ‘Big Ole Pretty Girls’ founder Yolanda Y’Netta speaks, Culture Currents M.O.I. JR: What impact did you want the line to have on society’s consciousness?

Yolanda Y’Netta: Self acceptance! Embracing your difference! SistaHood.

I’ve always battled with my size and my weight, trying so hard to fit into what I felt was normal size. I’ve been dieting since I was 12 years old. All those years were wasted, stressed out! I was looking in everyone else’s mirror of me!

Then one day I woke up and said, “There ain’t nothing wrong with me!” I’ve stopped fighting to fit in and just allowed myself to be myself – and simply stand out!

Just because I’m a big girl doesn’t mean that I’m unhealthy, sick, lazy or have low self-esteem! It means I’m just comfortable in the skin I’m in!

I don’t discriminate towards any size models. We all have our crosses to bear and our own battles to fight! So we just choose to love on each other! Every girl is a Big Ole Pretty Girl in our world!

M.O.I. JR: How have full figured women responded to your T-shirt line?

Yolanda Y’Netta: They love it! It speaks volumes! It’s a conversational piece!

“I Love BOPG” means “I love me and you do too!”

M.O.I. JR: How many different designs do you have?

Because-of-One-Perfect-God-flier-300x197, ‘Big Ole Pretty Girls’ founder Yolanda Y’Netta speaks, Culture Currents Yolanda Y’Netta: I have 12 T-shirt designs in rotation with more in the works. In clothing there’s so many, I’ve lost count. All the designs come from visions, so there’s no patterns. They are all in my head. Most of them are one of a kind!

M.O.I. JR: Where is the “I Love BOPG” line going to be in five years?

Yolanda Y’Netta: That’s simple. Everywhere! Stores! Online! Mobile boutiques! Magazines! Nothing’s too big and nowhere’s too far!

M.O.I. JR: If people would like to see your designs online, how could they do that?

Yolanda Y’Netta: Right now they can reach us at ilovebopg@yahoo.com or view us online at:

We also have a big show every March. Our next show is March 5, 2016. Hope to see you there!

The People’s Minister of Information JR Valrey is associate editor of the Bay View, author of “Block Reportin’” and “Unfinished Business: Block Reportin’ 2” and filmmaker of “Operation Small Axe” and “Block Reportin’ 101,” available, along with many more interviews, at www.blockreportradio.com. He can be reached at blockreportradio@gmail.com.