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Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium to Launch 2026 Joy and Justice Tour

As the crises facing Black women and girls in the Southern United States reach alarming levels, the Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium (Southern Black Girls) is taking action with the announcement of their 2026 Joy and Justice Tour. This nine-city mobilization will commence on Juneteenth weekend in Jackson, Mississippi, addressing significant issues including national femicide rates and Black maternal health disparities.

A Critical Response to an Ongoing Crisis

In April 2026 alone, the harrowing statistics revealed the loss of at least ten Black women and eight Black children to gender-based violence. Research shows that Black women are over two times more likely to be murdered by men than their white counterparts. Furthermore, the risk of death due to pregnancy-related complications is exponentially higher for Black women, who experience this danger at more than three times the rate of their white peers. Contributing to these crises is the closure of more than 40 maternity care providers across the nation, compounded by recent federal healthcare cuts.

Joy as Strategy and Intervention

Amidst this turmoil, LaTosha Brown, the Visionary Founder of Southern Black Girls, states, “Joy has always been our strategy. But in this moment, joy is also our intervention.” This approach is essential for responding to issues where Black women are at crisis levels, from violence to healthcare inadequacies. By providing resources, connection, and love, the consortium aims to offer tangible support to the community.

The upcoming tour features expanded programs, including the Black Girls Defense Fund, which supports organizations dedicated to the health, safety, and justice of Black girls, women, and femme-identifying youth across 13 Southern states. Applications for this fund close on May 14, 2026, and grants will range between $5,000 and $20,000.

The Reality of Adultification

This initiative highlights the pervasive adultification bias that Black girls face—often seen as less innocent and deserving of protection than their peers. Research indicates that this bias adversely impacts their experiences across various socio-institutional realms, such as education and healthcare. The survivors of these biased systems often grow into women who remain unprotected in society.

A Call to Action

Chanceé Lundy, the Executive Director of Southern Black Girls, emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are in a state of emergency.” The research and advocacy surrounding this tour aim to shift the narrative of acceptance regarding the high rates of mortality among Black women in the South, advocating for necessary changes and community support.

The Joy and Justice Tour will feature free programming in each of the nine cities, offering interactive workshops, wellness activities, community resources, live entertainment, and advocacy information. The tour dates include:

• - June 18: Jackson, MS
• - June 20: New Orleans, LA
• - July 10: Fort Lauderdale, FL
• - July 11: Eatonville, FL
• - August 8: Louisville, KY
• - August 21: Richmond, VA
• - August 22: Charleston, WV
• - September 26: Columbia, SC
• - September 27: Charlotte, NC

In the context of the South, where less than 1% of philanthropic investments reach Black women and girls, the consortium’s efforts underscore that joy isn’t a luxury; it’s a critical strategy for safety and advocacy.

For further details on the Joy and Justice Tour and ways to get involved, please visit www.southernblackgirls.org/joytour.

About the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium

Founded in 2017, Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium is a resource-focused organization dedicated to uplifting Black girls and women throughout 13 Southern states. So far, the consortium has allocated over $11.4 million in funding to various organizations and has provided more than $600,000 in micro-grants directly benefiting over 1,000 girls via initiatives like the #BlackGirlJoyChallenge.