By Randi Locke, Northend Agent’s
Young women need to have spaces just for them. From Girl Scouts to Girls on the Run these spaces can serve as a haven for young girls to form friendships, learn valuable life skills, and have places to go where they can be understood. Unfortunately, these spaces for black girls can feel isolating. Often these girls can count on one hand how many members/leaders look like them. While there are organizations that uplift black children, they may not be accessible to everyone due to chapter locations or financial barriers. These organizations are usually co-ed meaning that they do not focus on black girls’ experiences. Though these organizations are doing great things for black children, black girls need spaces to call their own. A study conducted by Vanderbilt University in 2018 displayed that when black girls can share their experiences with other black girls they can dispute negative stereotypes, and they are better equipped to handle racism and sexism. The study was conducted by Assistant Professor Misha Innis Thompson.
Thompson along with a few of her colleagues created the Black Girl Magic Crew, an after-school club that uplifts black girls and their talents. Programs similar to this one can help black girls become more confident in themselves, and cultivate their interests. Here are some organizations that were created with black girls at the center.
Black girls Code
In response to the statistic that only 2% of jobs in technology are occupied by black women, Kimberly created Black Girls Code in 2011 after wanting to find somewhere to grow her daughter’s interest in computer science. What started as a grassroots organization in San Fransico now has multiple chapters across the U.S. Black Girls Code makes sure their workshops are accessible. They are not only free but they offer virtual workshops as well. The organization has programs for girls as young as seven and as old as twenty-five. The workshops cover all ranges of technology interests from developing code for video games to creating music using AI. The organization also helps women who have aged out of the programs find careers in technology. Black Girls Code currently has fourteen chapters across the United States and one in South Africa.
400 Forward
Did you know that as of 2022 only 566 licensed architects in North America are black women? In 2017 that number was a mere 400. Causing the founder Tiffany D Brown to create 400 Forward. Tiffany D Brown was an architect for Smith Group JJR before creating 400 Forward. 400 Forward is a Detroit-based organization that encourages young black girls to pursue their passion for architecture. The organization hosts free summer camps and classes throughout the year in elements like design, construction, and urban planning. The program also connects current architects with program participants to mentor them. The program’s only location at the moment is in Detroit.
Black Girls Smile
Good mental health practices should start early and the organization Black Girls Smile makes that a priority. After working with the Clinton Global Initiative and United Way, Lauren Carson created Black Girls Smile in 2012. She created the organization in hopes that black girls who are seeking mental help will have a better support system than she did. When she was diagnosed with depression at the age of fifteen, Carson found that mental health professionals failed to understand that depression in black women is different than other demographics. Black Girls Smile aims to teach black women and girls about mental health. The organization hosts programs in various cities to discuss topics like motherhood, unpacking trauma, and how to develop healthy coping mechanisms. Though not all the programs are free, Black Girls Smile does offer mental health services and resources for a reduced cost.
The Beautiful Project
Art has been used as a medium to convey emotion and make a statement. This belief is what first started The Beautiful Project, which teaches young black girls from ages 12-22 how to use visual arts like painting and photography to be a voice for change. The Durham-based organization makes sure anyone who wants to participate can by making the programs free. The Beautiful Project has a mentorship program for high school graduates to find work as artists, or work as an apprentice.
Girls Like Me
It’s no secret that when it comes to how the media portrays black women, it can be less than favorable. To teach black girls how to use media to combat these stereotypes, La’Keisha Gray-Sewell created the Girls Like Me project. The project aims to teach young black girls how to combat stereotypes through media storytelling. The project also hosts programs that discuss issues like the types of media young women consume, human trafficking, and fostering a global community. Through the Girls Like Me project some members came up with a YouTube channel called GLIMP Talks along with a podcast called Dear Chicago Girls. The organization is currently holding a fundraiser online to continue the program.
For more of Randi’s writing please visit www.northendagents.com.
