Justice for Back Girls
On Sunday, November 12, 2023, Spelman College hosted The National Justice for Back Girls Conference, celebrating Black girls by amplifying their black girl magic, providing safe spaces, culture, and much more. The Founder and Executive Director, Brianna Baker, who also happens to be a Spelman College alumna, has made it her mission to educate the libration and women empowerment through social justice. Justice for Black Girls (JBG) was created in 2018 to celebrate and empower Black girlhood while challenging oppressive systems. Baker has achieved this goal by expanding her non-profit organization’s reach across the nation and even the world.
As I arrived at the JBG conference, I was filled with anticipation and excitement for what was to come. To my delight, I was met with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the staff greeted me with such friendliness that I felt right at home. The conference began with an eye-opening presentation on “The Suppression of Black Girl Magic in Institutions.” Although I had some prior knowledge of the topic, I was amazed by the twists and turns the presentation took. It started with a community agreement highlighting the importance of academic spaces for Black girls, and it truly resonated with me. One point stood out: “Be for ALL Black girls always. We do not have to show up in any one way.” This was a crucial point because it affirmed that Black people are diverse and have unique styles, cultures, skin tones, and hair textures. It was heartwarming to see that this conference acknowledged and celebrated our differences rather than trying to fit us into a specific mold.
Later in the presentation, there was a pledge to liberate Black girls. At that moment, the hairs on my arms raised, and my eyes started to water. The speaker’s tone and the “mmhh” from older and middle-aged Black women spoke so much life into me. The pride of being Black was more present than ever, and this confidence was new for me. Once the pledge was over, the presenters began educating the audience with new vocabulary terms and definitions, launching us into a discussion surrounding the definition of “Black Girl Magic.” During the discussion, we were all asked our thoughts on Black Girl Magic and its meaning to us. It was further explained with examples of hair, nails, music, fashion, embracing our skin, and pursuing our dreams. The overarching point of the conversation was that there is no one way to describe “Black Girl Magic,” all Black girls are enough no matter what route we choose.
The Justice for Black Girls conference brought together a group of inspiring guest speakers to share their thoughts on Black girlhood. One of our esteemed guests was the incredible Dr. Nikki Giovanni, an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Dr. Giovanni has significantly impacted the Black Arts Movement with her powerful poetry addressing social and political issues. Her contributions have resulted in numerous awards and honors, including the Langston Hughes Medal and the NAACP Image Award.
When Dr. Giovanni entered the room, her presence and charm immediately caught our attention. She had a heartwarming moment of connection with several Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. members in attendance. Witnessing this bond between sisters was a beautiful moment of joy, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.
During her talk, Dr. Giovanni emphasized the significance of sisterhood and the importance of Black girls experiencing it. She encouraged us to come together and support one another in a world that can be challenging and unkind. Dr. Giovanni also reminded us of the power of telling our stories, regardless of societal pressures or trends. Our stories have the potential to inspire and uplift others, even those we may not know are listening.
The conference also offered several workshops for attendees to develop new skills, improve their overall wellness, and even partake in Pilates. It was a day filled with positivity, learning, and growth. We left feeling inspired, confident, and ready to continue uplifting and supporting one another in our journeys. In one of the workshops, we discussed Black healing, what it entails, and how to initiate the process. The conversation started smoothly while R&B music played in the background to help us relax and open up. Since we knew it would be a complex topic, we practiced various breathing techniques to alleviate any anxiety that may have arisen during the conversation. We talked about how childhood trauma is present in our adult lives, and many women shared their stories and how their past trauma has affected how they interact with their children today. We explored various measures on how to heal through our trauma, and what seemed to be shared amongst the group was therapy. Therapy is still a taboo topic in the Black community. As a community, we should normalize talking about our trauma and seeking therapy. As the workshop ended, everyone jotted down affirmations they wished they had heard when they were younger. I collected a few, knowing they would be helpful, and the one that resonated with me the most was, “Slow down. You are right on time.”
Attending the conference was a life-changing experience for me. It was a huge success and reignited my confidence and pride in my Black identity. No matter where they are, I cannot recommend this conference enough to every Black girl. The conference’s uniqueness lies in its creator, a Spelman woman who passionately advocates for justice for Black girls. The meeting was jam-packed with inspirational talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, allowing me to connect with other Black women and share our experiences. The event was unforgettable, leaving a lasting impact on me, and I am already excited to attend it again.
Trinity Dawson
Studying: Comparative Women Studies & Biochemistry minor pre-med track
Role: Editorial Team
