Gabrielle Union Is #HalfCenturyGoals

Discover how beautiful and rich life at 50-plus can be! Gabby inspires us to explore pathways and possibilities in her two-part documentary, ‘My Journey to 50.’

Published June 09, 2023

Edward Burke (1), Keegan Checks (2)

Nifty 50 is when many of us hit our stride and come into our own and somebody else’s, as my mother is fond of saying. At this stage in your life you might be in a sentimental mood, reflecting on your life’s journey thus far with gratitude. Perhaps you are finally learning to put your needs first – which, by the way, is being self-careful, not selfish.

If you need a roadmap for inspiration, actress Gabrielle Union is doing this in grand style, chronicling it all in her two-part documentary, My Journey to 50 (premiering June 15 on BET+). For her momentous 50th trip around the sun, Union took an epic jaunt through Africa with her husband Dwyane Wade, their children, her mother, aunt, sister and niece, and an inner circle of friends including actress Essence Atkins and radio personality Angie Martinez.

Joining Gabby on her adventure may teach us that 50 and beyond could be the period that we let go of people, places and things that no longer serve us. After all, doesn’t it feel like we’ve been “growing up” with the uber-relatable Union? The dimpled beauty is one of our favorite sisters on screen, and we’ve come to rely on her for the sexy, sophisticated, shady and complicated characters she’s brought to life in movies like Bring It On and Deliver Us From Eva, and the steamy BET series Being Mary Jane. We’ve also seen her navigate career, marriage, motherhood and more, because she’s been very open about her personal life.

We’re endeared to Union because of her courage and vulnerability. We can’t wait to watch her healing, joyful and Black-womanhood-affirming expedition as she traces her heritage and, according to a press release, ‘shed[s] what no longer works for her while welcoming others to relearn, rediscover and reconnect as we collectively celebrate our most authentic selves.’

Guided by your inner compass, you may give less value to other people’s opinions and make more of an effort not to sweat the small stuff. And hopefully with each passing day, you are learning to appreciate, love and be proud of the wiser and still fly girl you see in the mirror. Turning 50 also means that you may receive your first invitation to join AARP in the mail. Learn about benefits here.

Our life is a journey, and post-50 living can be full of exciting possibilities. This is a time when many sisters are living their best lives, myself included. As I approached 50, I discovered that I could use my storytelling skills in a bonus career as a documentary producer – and become inspired by active and effervescent elders like Debbie Allen and Chita Rivera in the process. Beyond 50, other sisters have found love, built a million-dollar business and challenged themselves in new ways like learning to surf, becoming a fashion model and embarking on a daily walking streak.

Living with power, passion and purpose

Although health-related concerns in our 50s are certainly real (hello, menopause and the lovely hot flashes and mood swings that follow), according to WebMD, “you’ll go into your 50s with more brain function than you had at 25.” And even though some cognitive abilities may decline as we age, you can help preserve your brain function by eating healthfully (you know the drill – fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, and good fats like avocados and olive oil). To keep your bones strong and healthy, consume foods packed with calcium and vitamin D, and make weight-bearing and resistance exercises like yoga, hiking and lifting weights part of your routine. Instead of feeling self-conscious about thinning hair and blurry vision, use these unwelcome changes as an opportunity to spruce up your style with a flattering new cut, color, protective style or wig, and an eye-catching pair of readers or prescription frames.

In other areas of life, the big 50 may inspire your wanderlust for travel adventures, which can be a soul-satisfying way to discover different pathways and possibilities.

Union’s latest project, My Journey to 50, follows the fashionable leading lady as she visits multiple countries in the motherland and explores points of interest in Ghana, Namibia, Zanzibar and South Africa. Following in Union’s well-heeled footsteps, we can also grab our girl squad and find glam, bucket list trip inspiration from BIPOC-centered travel groups like Black Girls Travel Too, Nomadness Travel Tribe and Up in the Air Life.

“I’ve always had a lifelong thirst for knowledge. Connecting with the birthplace of civilization and my own ancestry helped me inch closer to my true self,” Union says in a press release. “There was no other place I wanted to spend my 50th birthday. It was an experience I’ll never forget, and I’m excited for audiences to join me on the journey.”

Although Union appears to have it all – longevity in Hollywood, a loving and supportive marriage and being blessed with motherhood later in life – she has also experienced her share of trauma, including being raped at gunpoint as a teen and suffering multiple miscarriages.

We’re endeared to Union because of her courage and vulnerability. We can’t wait to watch her healing, joyful and Black-womanhood-affirming expedition as she traces her heritage and, according to a press release, “shed[s] what no longer works for her while welcoming others to relearn, rediscover and reconnect as we collectively celebrate our most authentic selves.”

So tell us, Sis, what new thing did you try at 50 or what ain’t-no-mountain-high-enough obstacle did you overcome? Or what are you looking forward to when you reach this (or a similar) milestone? Share your fab and 50+ stories in the comment section below.

A fan of music, dance and cats, Tracy E. Hopkins is a lifestyle and culture writer who has contributed to numerous print and digital publications, including Essence, Woman's Day, Prevention, Fodor's and Entertainment Weekly.