This article explores the theme of racial identity in Jacqueline Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming, examining how the protagonist, Jacqueline, navigates her sense of self in a racially divided America during the 1960s and 1970s. Through a critical lens, the article analyzes the key influences that shape Jacqueline's evolving identity, including her family, culture, social environment, historical context, and personal experiences with racism. The study highlights how writing serves as a powerful tool for empowerment, enabling Jacqueline to confront societal limitations and assert her African American identity. By examining these themes, the article demonstrates how Woodson's narrative underscores the complexities of race, the impact of historical and social contexts, and the transformative power of self-expression. Ultimately, the analysis reveals how Brown Girl Dreaming illustrates the intersection of race, identity, and empowerment, offering valuable insights into the ways young people, especially African American girls, negotiate their place in a world shaped by race and inequality.