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From #SayHerName To The Black Girls Lead Conference, Black Youth Are Unstoppable

Been following #SayHerName? Here’s another great resource for black youth this summer.

By Daniela Capistrano

Black women rock, and it’s important that the next generation has the tools to lead. If you’ve been following #SayHerName on Twitter, you know May 21 was a national day of action for black women affected by police violence. Folks in San Francisco, California even went topless to help draw attention to the police- related deaths of women like Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Rekia Boyd and others. The Bay Area protest was just one of at least 17 other movements taking place in cities across the nation.

#SayHerName is not only a way to track the actions taking place in honor of black (cisgender and transgender) women killed through police violence, it has also became a source of inspiration and resources. We’re signal boosting this incredible opportunity for youth who might be following #SayHerName — the Black Girls Lead conference going down July 30 - August 2 in NYC.

The BGL conference is an initiative of Black Girls Rock, a movement founded in 2006 by celebrity DJ and philanthropist Beverly Bond, that has received support from Janelle Monáe, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott and other artists over the years. Back in April, Bond announced the BGL conference opportunity that is open to girls between ages 13-17. Like Black Girls Rock, the conference is dedicated to building the self-esteem, self-worth and leadership skills of young women of color by providing them with tools and resources for self-empowerment and efficacy.

The approximately 60 lucky participants will be immersed in four days of activities and gain knowledge about civic engagement, leadership development, the African Diaspora and its arts, histories and cultures, and more. The BGL conference aims to “educate, affirm, support and empower girls who desire to become trailblazers of our future.”

Interested? Apply now (there is need-based financial assistance) before the May 31 deadline and be sure to share this opportunity with others through hashtags such as #SayHerName — because Black Girls rock and #BlackLivesMatter!

Celebrities such as Russell Simmons are signalboosting #SayHerName as well:

To learn more about the origins of #SayHerName, click here.

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