As we prepare for warmer weather and longer days, and we recognize Women’s History Month, the words of former First Lady Michelle Obama resonate: “I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved, and nurtured by people around them.” These words remind us of all amazing women pioneers, many of our direct ancestors who risked it all to create more equitable and abundant spaces for girls today. We’re also enjoying the #AskHer webinar series hosted by the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, and looking forward to the March 17th webinar with our President & CEO, Dr. Monique W. Morris.
In this newsletter we want to acknowledge the contributions of girls and femmes of Color throughout history, and those still making an impact today. Just look at the phenomenal young moderators and guest speakers during our Black Girl Freedom Week (BGFW) 2022 (more below), and young thought leaders who are actively engaged in envisioning and enacting a more just and healed future. Below you can read more about updates and opportunities, what’s inspiring us, and recognize efforts to achieve equal pay for women of Color, a clear reminder that we need to do more to ensure an equity as our girls, femmes and gender-expansive youth of Color prepare to enter the workforce.
We are still celebrating the phenomenal events during this year’s Black Girl Freedom Week 2022organized by our Black Girl Freedom Fund and #1Billion4BlackGirls campaign. We were moved and spiritually enriched by the conversations between young people and our guest facilitators, which included inspirational leaders like Marley Dias, Eva Reign, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sanaa Lathan, and Rashida Jones. In addition to elevating Black girls’ leadership, creativity, and joy, this year the focus of BGFW included the accountability of philanthropy and the beauty and fashion industries to Black girls, femmes and gender-expansive youth. The weeklong celebration also included a day of interaction specifically for young people. We’re excited to share some of our favorite moments – although everything was our favorite!
In a session on mentoring, Susan L. Taylor echoes what we all agree with, that all Black girls need to know they are enough. The former Editor-In-Chief of Essence Magazine and Founder and CEO of The National CARES Mentoring Movement explained that with, or without, a romantic relationship, girls need to know true love: “it’s fine to be adored by somebody, but you have to know what love looks like. That’s what I want Black girls to know. What love looks like and what it feels like…it’s really important to know that the love that we’re seeking is the love that is inside of us,” she said to President and CEO of Girls for Gender Equity, Joanne N. Smith.
Actress, producer and CEO Tracee Ellis Ross moderated a conversation with two young artists on how Black girls drive the beauty culture, and emphasized that “there’s not one way of looking like a Black woman, not one way to be beautiful as a Black woman.” Tracee’s co-presenters agreed. “Black women, we want to be able to see ourselves in media. I think that’s not a tall ask,” shared student and artist Ebony Morris.
If you missed these moments, you can still watch and share the videos (available with American Sign Language interpretation, English and Spanish captions) on our Instagram page and website.
#GOMUJERES TO RESOURCE LATINA ORGS
At G4GC we’re so excited to be a partner and proud supporter of #GOMujeres! Join us Through March 31 for what some are calling “the largest movement for gender equity across the Americas,” by Hispanics In Philanthropy (@hipgive). If you’re interested in supporting Latina women and girls with a contribution, explore the participating projects on #GOMujeres which started March 7th here.
POWERFUL WOMEN UNITE
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), with partners Fondation CHANEL and Pivotal Ventures, has announced a new and event, the national Power+ Summit to accelerate change and move the needle on women’s progress and equality in the U.S. and globally. The two-day Power+ Summit, to be held in San Francisco on April 27-28, 2022, will bring together powerful and noted women in politics, advocacy, philanthropy, business, entertainment, and academics to imagine a more equitable and inclusive society where women and girls are free to reach their full potential. You can register for the virtual event before April 27.
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
We’ve accepted the #WeTrustYouthChallenge!
Our team at Grantmakers for Girls of Color is proud to join the#WeTrustYouthChallenge movement to work more collaboratively and equitably with young people.
We’re excited to join other funders who are thinking creatively and intentionally about how to ensure youth have power over decisions about where our resources go, and invite others to take the challenge by taking one or more of these four steps!
FUNDING FOR INNOVATION
Is your non-profit organization creating positive change in your community? Project Innovation is a competitive grant challenge that will award nearly $3.5 million to non-profits in 11 NBC and Telemundo markets that are tackling everyday problems through innovative solutions. Not sure if you’re eligible or have additional questions? You can join a free webinar on Tuesday,
March 15 at 2 PM EST to learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process. Sign up HERE. Applications will be accepted from February 18 – March 25, 2022. Learn more and apply now!
IN NEED OF A FRESH LOOK?
Do you know of or run a nonprofit in need of a rebrand, but doesn’t have the funding? Share this so they can apply to be the 2022 Give a Brand! recipient. Give a Brand! is an annual pro bono program from Thinkso that awards a small, underfunded nonprofit a complete brand makeover — a new brand identity, messaging strategy, website (written, designed, programmed), and a suite of marketing materials. The goal is to empower nonprofits to raise awareness and attract new funding that would otherwise be out of reach. Apply before April 1st!
ARE YOU A NONPROFIT IN NYC?
The 2nd Annual New York City Imagine Awards shines the spotlight on the nonprofit sector. 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in and/or significantly serving The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island are eligible to apply across five categories, Arts & Culture; Innovation; Leadership Excellence; Rising Star; & Social Impact, with the winner in each category winning a $5,000 grant. Applications are due May 9.
#ASKHER WEBINARS FOCUSED ON “THE STATE OF BLACK GIRLS”
The Washington Area Women’s Foundation is casting a glance at “The State of Black Girls” with their webinar series #AskHerthat supports women and girls of Color. This interview series features women and gender non-conforming leaders, and supporters who work tirelessly for women and girls, with in-depth conversations around complex issues. Mark your calendar for the March 17th webinar with our President & CEO, Dr. Monique W. Morris, and follow the webinar series on their YouTube channel.
WHAT BLACK GIRL FREEDOM MEANS TO MARLEY DIAS
“It’s really important to make sure that kids have resources online that allow them to see and look at other people that have achieved what they hope to achieve. People that are different from them, people that challenge their ideas,” said 17-year-old author and activist Marley Dias in her interview with Girls United in preparation for her masterclass during this year’s Black Girl Freedom Week. Read more of her insights in the article, “Marley Dias Talks What Freedom For Black Girls Means To Her”.
REDUCING DATING VIOLENCE
“Targeted efforts to combat domestic violence and teen dating violence have the potential to meet Black youth where they are. The Black Girl Freedom Fund is one of a growing list of targeted efforts working to reduce the impact of structural and interpersonal violence on Black Girls, femmes and gender-expansive youth.” We’re grateful to be listed as a resource for Black girls and femmes by Parents Magazine in their article, “How Black Communities Are Addressing Teen Dating Violence”.
INVESTING IN BLACK MOTHERS BEYOND FEBRUARY
“Black History Month can’t only be about speeding up production of the Harriet Tubman $20 bill, introducing a newpostage stamp in honor of Black sculptor Edmonia Lewis, or purchasing a “Black is Beautiful” sweatshirt at Target. We need to demand equality and change — and that means making major investments in Black women.” Also proud to be mentioned in a Philanthropy Magazine article last month titled “Let’s Celebrate Black Women After Black History Month Ends by Giving Them More Funding”.
REJECTING TYPECASTING
“A lot of marketers make the mistake of creating different types of Black women instead of making them multifaceted, multidimensional people,” said student and model Anyia Williams during our Black Girl Freedom Week. Read more insights from our event ‘Black Girls Driving The Culture: Fashion, Beauty and Narrative Change” in “Typecasting Black Women Won’t Bring Beauty the Diversity It Needs”.
March 15 is Women’s Equal Pay Day, a day to recognize the ongoing pay disparities in the U.S. between men and women. By March 15, the average woman has made what the average man makes the year prior. But it’s important for us to acknowledge that this disparity disproportionately affects women of Color across the workforce. According to the Equal Pay Day campaign website, this year AAPI women’s equal pay day is on May 3, LGBTQIA+ equal pay day is on June 15, equal pay day for mothers is in July, Black women’s equal pay day is September 29, Native women’s equal pay day is December 1, and Latina equal pay day is December 8. These dates might change throughout the year, but the fact that these are the projected disparities is worth a critical look at how girls and women of Color are not properly resourced or compensated for their labor.
Know of an important, historical date or upcoming celebration? Share it with us at [email protected].
March 2022
- 8: International Women’s Day
- 11: World Day of Muslim Culture, Peace, Dialogue and Film
- 20: International Day of Happiness
- 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
- 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
April 2022
- 2: World Autism Awareness Day
- 7: World Health Day
- 11: Civil Rights Act signed into law 1968
- 11: Fair Housing Act (1968)
Does your organization have a funding opportunity, upcoming conference, or other celebration centering girls of Color you want to share with the G4GC community? Or an important date to be included in our upcoming calendar section? Email them to [email protected] for consideration 6-8 weeks before the event or date.
*G4GC defines “girls of Color” as any cis, trans, gender-expansive, non-binary and/or any girl or femme-identified person age 25 and younger who identifies as Black, Indigenous, Latina, Asian, Arab, Pacific Islander, and/or other People of Color.
**#1Billion4BlackGirls is a 10-year philanthropic initiative designed to invest in the brain trust, innovation, health, safety, education, artistic visions, research, and joy of Black girls* and their families. The Black Girl Freedom Fund (BGFF) is an initiative of Grantmakers for Girls of Color (G4GC), and leads and hosts the organization of Black Girl Freedom Week.