Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium Invests Over $1.2 Million to Empower Young Black Women

Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium: Investing in a Brighter Future

In a year marked by significant challenges to racial and gender equity funding, the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium has taken a bold stance. Based in Selma, Alabama, this organization has demonstrated a resolute commitment to the empowerment of Black girls and women across the Southern United States. In 2025 alone, the Consortium invested more than $1.2 million through various initiatives, ensuring crucial support for over 60 organizations and upwards of 25 small businesses spanning 13 states.

One of the highlights of this year's efforts was reaching a landmark achievement: the awarding of the 1,000th grant through the Black Girl Joy Challenge. This national initiative focuses on providing financial support to young women aged 13 to 24, encouraging them to cultivate joy and creativity within their communities. The year saw 100 additional grants awarded, totaling 1,000 since the program's inception in 2020. "Investing in organizations that center Black girls and women is an act of resistance, imagination, and faith in the future," remarked Chanceé Lundy, Executive Director of the Consortium.

In June of 2025, the Consortium hosted the Black Girls Dream Conference in Atlanta, attracting over 1,300 attendees. This conference, which featured the theme