Unerased ? Black Women Speak的动态

?? The month of October is dedicated to Black History, a celebration of black inventors, creatives, entrepreneurs, trailblazers, role models and more. However, we wanted to remind everyone that it shouldn’t be a month - but an everyday celebration and act for awareness. Allyship within our communities and circles and how white women can show up and use their privilege for positive influence is SO important to learn, educate others and support black women in the workplace. "True allyship demands that It move from conversation to ACTION." - Emmanuel Acho ???? We have a more in-depth chat into this topic over on our blog - https://bit.ly/4h8s9ka

Happy Juneteenth! Social media is not enough, and one day is not enough. Every day, we have a responsibility to step aside and let Black women lead while vocally opposing the systems of oppression and racism active in our communities. If you’re off today and you’re white- the LEAST you can do is acknowledge Juneteenth. Go to a Juneteenth celebration. Educate yourself. Support Black owned businesses. Support Black led nonprofits and grassroots organizations doing the work. Check your privilege. Examine the biases that exist in ALL of us. Step aside.

"Many Black women in positions of leadership earnestly believe that they cannot afford the luxury of a more integral moral ecology because they are being made to choose between their livelihoods and their ideals." It is imperative that we make professional space for Black women to share their collective abuse. I can only hope to be of support as I continue to advocate for those who work directly and indirectly with me. I live at the intersection of anti-Black maleness in a field that views my peers as vectors and villains while Black women live in a wholly different place where they are expected to bring #BlackGirlMagic to fix decades-long internal abuses without support to dismantle to status quo. And if they ever do that nearly impossible work, they will pay a dear price...often with public admonition. To address these issues takes transparency and higher levels of support. It was nothing but shocking to see first-hand the professional abuses that a Black woman in leadership faced at an org that I led. 1) Staff openly questioning her academic credentials (read: Black women don't/can't earn doctorate degrees) 2) One individual stating that they did not want to report to her but to a white leader who didn't even have her skill set (read: I prefer reporting to someone who looks like me) 3) A Black woman peer who sent numerous threatening text messages if she preformed corrective action on her due to her egregious and demeaning behavior with staff and peers (read: Not all skin folk are kin folk) 4) A white man who was being investigated for improper behavior who was immediately terminated for attempting to destroy evidence who then became verbally & physically aggressive which led to her locking herself into an office and having to call the police (read: Black women must already know their place on society's Privilege Flag Pole) 5) Being told by staff that she should not have called the police and that she must have done something wrong to make the white terminated employee so upset (read: Be prepared to die and then have people say you were complicit in your own death) Too many Black women have these and worse experiences on a habitual basis. Systemic violence is putting your head in the sand and hoping that well-meaning "Allies" who have no history of openly supporting Black women will suddenly do so when faced with their daily realities. We must do better. #iSupportBeverly #TrustBlackWomen

Black feminists- how y’all feeling? ???? Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from his re-election bid and initial reactions to his backing Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee had the internet and our brains spinning today! With a new candidate comes new demands, and as Black feminists, those demands are shaped by what matters to us: Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people. If you’re ready to squad up, we’re here to welcome you into Black feminisms! Here's how to tap in: ??Check out our Vote Like A Black Feminist campaign to get ready for the road ahead ??Become a member or donate to BFF because we know that Black feminisms - not candidates - gets us free. ??Help us shape the first 100 days! Take this 5-minute survey; your answers will inform BFF’s Black Feminist Agenda and shape priorities across the movement in the next season. This electoral season and beyond, it is always about us.

Hunni, let’s be honest—most spaces weren’t built for Black women to just be. We’re praised for our strength but rarely given room to rest. We’re invited into rooms but expected to shrink once we get there. We’re asked to lead, to fix, to carry—while our own needs go unmet. That’s why exclusive spaces for us aren’t optional—they’re necessary. We need spaces where we don’t have to explain ourselves. Where we don’t have to perform. Where we can lay down what the world demands of us and just be whole. This is why I built Win Some W(h)ine Some—a space where Black women professionals leave their titles at the door and show up as their WHOLE A$$ SELVES. No code-switching, no masks, no proving—just truth, sisterhood, and sanctuary. If you’ve been craving a space where you can exhale, sis, you’re not alone. Join our newsletter crew and let’s build what we deserve—together. https://lnkd.in/eAWJHc7R

Ida B. Wells-Barnett as A Fearless Champion for Justice Have you ever heard of Ida B. Wells-Barnett? If not, let me tell you about this remarkable woman who blazed trails for justice and equality in America. Her story is one of courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to truth. Born into slavery in 1862, Wells-Barnett refused to be defined by her circumstances. Instead, she became a fierce journalist, using her pen as a weapon against the horrors of lynching. Can you imagine the bravery it took to speak out against such violence in those times? Wells-Barnett didn’t just write about it – she traveled across the country and even to Britain, spreading awareness and demanding change. But her fight for justice didn’t stop there. Wells-Barnett was also a champion for women’s rights. In 1913, she founded the Alpha Suffrage Club in Chicago, the first Black women’s suffrage group in the country. Think about that for a moment – at a time when both women and Black Americans were denied basic rights, she was fighting for both causes simultaneously. Wells-Barnett’s legacy lives on in Chicago, where her former home stands as a National Historic Landmark. It’s a testament to her incredible work and a reminder of how far we’ve come – and how far we still have to go. Today, organizations like Black Pages International are carrying on Wells-Barnett’s mission of empowering the Black community. They’re working to create economic opportunities and foster prosperity for Black-owned businesses, just as Wells-Barnett fought for economic justice in her time. https://lnkd.in/gKh7mWhJ

As UK Black History Month comes to a close… 1. I hope that, rather than the end of something, you will see this as the beginning of a discussion that lasts throughout the year and where you get involved in anti-racism action, read and listen to black people's perspectives, and seek to understand their experiences. 2. I hope you were able to take some time to reflect on your prejudices and how they might affect colleagues and loved ones. 3. I hope you feel confident to challenge stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. ? Together, we can really make a difference. ? As a Black women, it can be easy to get caught up in the negative aspects of our history, but it is important to remember that self-care is really about self-preservation. The origins of today’s self-care industry are deeply embedded in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and ’70s, in underserved communities in the US. As the healthcare system was failing the black community, "Black women, often queer, pushed other activists toward caring for themselves as a necessary, everyday revolutionary practice" (quote by Maryam K. Aziz, Ph.D.). ? This is why to conclude this month, I pay homage to self-care as a radical practice.

This is a powerful piece by Dr. Shauna D. A. Knox —100% truth. Every word is worth reading and pondering. Too often, in a vain attempt to fit in or for expediency, we water down our thoughts and words, and our 'deal with the devil' begins. How complicit are we when we allow stereotypes of leadership to cloud our vision? As Latinos and Latinas, when we navigate professional spaces, including academia and the nonprofit/philanthropic sector, what 'deal with the devil' trade-off are we making about our own identity? What does it mean to be an ally for others? Will having Latinos and Latinas on Boards and as Trustees help when their best skill is navigating their survival and advancement in the existing structures, and they have never learned to change the practices and structures that marginalize Latinos and others? Can our daughters (and sons) ever have a fair chance to truly show up as they are if Black women aren't allowed the same consideration?

Celebrating Juneteenth: A Time for Reflection and Action As we commemorate Juneteenth, let us pause to reflect on the significance of this day. Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free—a momentous step toward justice and equality. But Juneteenth is not just a historical event; it is a call to action. It reminds us that the fight for freedom, equality, and justice is ongoing. As individuals, we have a responsibility to amplify the voices of those who continue to face systemic oppression and discrimination. Here are some ways we can make a difference: - Educate Ourselves: Learn about the history of Juneteenth and its significance. Understand the struggles faced by Black communities and the resilience that has carried them through generations. - Listen and Amplify: Listen to the stories and experiences of Black individuals. Amplify their voices by sharing their narratives, supporting Black-owned businesses, and advocating for change. - Advocate for Equity: Advocate for policies that promote equity, justice, and inclusivity. Support organizations working toward racial equality and social justice. - Challenge Bias: Examine our own biases and actively work to dismantle them. Engage in uncomfortable conversations and challenge stereotypes. Celebrate Black Excellence: Celebrate the achievements, contributions, and cultural richness of Black artists, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators. Let us use this Juneteenth as an opportunity to reflect, learn, and take action. Together, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.

Deep Dives into Lessons from "Girl Gurl Grrrl" by Kenya Hunt: 1. Redefining Beauty Standards: Colorism; Hunt challenges the preference for lighter skin within Black communities and the beauty industry's lack of inclusivity. The book encourages embracing all shades of Black skin and features. 2. Black Features as Beautiful: Hunt encourages celebrating features often considered "unconventional" in Eurocentric standards, like full lips, broad noses, and natural hairstyles. 3. Beyond Hype: While celebrating Black excellence, Hunt critiques the idea of "Black Girl Magic" becoming a pressure to constantly perform strength. 4. Nuance and Vulnerability: "Girl Gurl Grrrl" argues for embracing vulnerability and the full spectrum of Black women's experiences, not just their successes. 5. Black Women's Voices:The book highlights the importance of Black women owning their narratives and refusing to be defined by stereotypes. 6. Sisterhood and Solidarity: Hunt emphasizes the power of building connections and supporting each other within the Black community, despite differences. 7. Motherhood's Challenges: Hunt explores the unique challenges Black mothers face, from societal pressures to navigating a racist world with their children. 8. Black Motherhood as Strength: The book celebrates the strength and resilience Black mothers display in raising their children. 9. Belonging Beyond Race: Hunt explores the complexities of belonging as a Black womanboth within Black communities and in a world that may not always feel welcoming. 10. Creating Your Own Space: The book emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where Black women feel seen, heard, and valued, even when mainstream society doesn't provide them.