Black Girl Movement Conference

Black Girl Movement Conference is our declaration that Black girls will not be left behind during this unprecedented moment where the lives of black people are being centered within our racial justice movement of the 21^st Century. For Black Girl Movement (BGM) Conference, we ask that individuals and communities respect the ongoing priority of centering Black girls, cis, queer, and trans girls, ages 18 and under, organizers, speakers, presenters, participants and conference attendees.  While we all operate in many political spaces with various formations with regard to gender/ race/ class/ sexuality/ ability/ age/ religion/ immigration status/ size, etc., our intention is to create safer spaces that prioritize the talents, needs, voices and visibility of Black girls, cis, queer, and trans girls, 18 and younger.
 
Black Girls Movement (BGM) conference has intentionally become that space.
 
In the case of registration beyond the space capacity of the conference, we will prioritize Black girls ages 18 and under, in admission and seating. Facilitators/presenters of some workshops may request narrower criteria for attendance of their events. More broadly, we urge each one of us and all of us as a collective group to consider how our participation in BGM (or decision to not attend and instead watch April 8th & 9th via Live stream https://livestream.com/accounts/5576628)  can reflect the race/gender political intentions of the conference and contribute to a greater politic of which we are all a part.
 
“Black Girl Movement: A National Conference” is a three-day gathering at Columbia University in New York City to focus on Black girls, cis, queer, and trans girls, in the United States.   Bringing together artists, activists, educators, policymakers, and black girls leaders themselves, this first national conference on Black girls seeks to address the disadvantages that Black girls in the United States face, while creating the political will to publicly acknowledge their achievements, contributions, and leadership.
 
Black girls are among the most significant cultural producers, community connectors, and trendsetters, rarely are their contributions recognized or appreciated. At best, they remain invisible in our public discourse or people assume that all Black girls are doing fine and are “resilient” enough to overcome any structural obstacles put in their way. Nevertheless, the vast majority of Black girls in the United States are in crisis. They face significant barriers to educational achievement, economic and political equality, and are the recipients of deeply embedded racial and gender biases in the media, public policy, philanthropy, and research.
 
As a result, the planning of this conference has been done by an intergenerational and cross-institution coalition because the most innovative done on and with black girls often  in silos and without the full benefits of a collaboration, funding, and public visibility.  "Black Girl Movement" is an opportunity changes that reality through raising public consciousness, advancing research, policy, and community programming, and developing a resource sharing platform.  Most importantly, this conference will highlight Black girls’ agency and ingenuity in order to elevate their voices and solutions toward improving the life outcomes of Black girls in the United States.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Website – bitly.com/blackgirlmovement   
Twitter – @blackgirlmvmt     #blackgirlmovement   #BGM2016

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If you wish to have updates on the Conference delivered to your cell phone please sign up to receive texts:  text the word BLACKGIRLMVMT to 33233.  You should receive a onetime confirmation message. 

“Black Girl Movement: A National Conference” is a three-day gathering at Columbia University in New York City to focus on Black girls, cis, queer, and trans girls, in the United States.   Bringing together artists, activists, educators, policymakers, and black girls leaders themselves, this first national conference on Black girls seeks to address the disadvantages that Black girls in the United States face, while creating the political will to publicly acknowledge their achievements, contributions, and leadership.

Black girls are among the most significant cultural producers, community connectors, and trendsetters, rarely are their contributions recognized or appreciated. At best, they remain invisible in our public discourse or people assume that all Black girls are doing fine and are “resilient” enough to overcome any structural obstacles put in their way. Nevertheless, the vast majority of Black girls in the United States are in crisis. They face significant barriers to educational achievement, economic and political equality, and are the recipients of deeply embedded racial and gender biases in the media, public policy, philanthropy, and research.

As a result, the planning of this conference has been done by an intergenerational and cross-institution coalition because the most innovative work being done on and with black girls often are in silos and without the full benefits of a collaboration, funding, and public visibility.  "Black Girl Movement" is an opportunity change that reality through raising public consciousness, advancing research, policy, and community programming, and developing a resource sharing platform.  Most importantly, this conference will highlight Black girls’ agency and ingenuity in order to elevate their voices and solutions toward improving the life outcomes of Black girls in the United States.

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Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus