Let’s not sugarcoat the facts. When it comes to advancing Black women and girls in our society, there is still a lot of work to do to ensure that we have the freedom to live healthy, fully realized lives and access opportunities, equitably. Here are a few reasons - supported by research, data and analysis - that continue to make the case for creating spaces that focus on the overall well-being and advancement of Black women and girls:

Black girls experience adultification bias - a stereotype in which Black girls are considered less innocent and more adult-like - at a higher rate than their white peers, robbing them of a chance to fully experience their childhood.

Certain health conditions disproportionately affect Black women including heart disease, cancer, mental health, fibroids, etc.
Black women working full-time earned 62 cents for every dollar white, non-Hispanic men earned.

These issues are complex and rooted in a system that has disenfranchised Black people since slavery. Over the past 100+ years, leaders, activists, scholars, movements and organizations fought for social change and social justice for all Black people. While there have been many advances made - even in our lifetime with the election of former President Barack Obama and Madame Vice President Kamala Harris - there is still so much that needs to be done to close gaps for Black people in terms of housing, education, healthcare, careers, politics, economic justice and overall well-being. Advocating for the advancement of Black women and girls by centering our experiences, ultimately improves the lives of all marginalized identities.

This year, in celebration of Black History Month, we want to recognize some of the many nonprofit organizations, across the country, that are doing the work to educate, uplift, heal and celebrate Black women and girls. This list is not exhaustive, but it represents some of the many organizations - large and small - dedicated to the causes that impact Black women and girls.

1. African American Women in Cinema Org

AAWIC provides a platform to showcase aligning experienced and novice filmmakers, directors, producers, screenwriters and actors. Their mission is to expand, explore and create business opportunities for minority women filmmakers throughout the entertainment industry. It is the goal of AAWIC to give artistic women a path to fulfilling their dreams through showcasing their talents, exposure to peers’ interaction, and mentoring by established professionals.

2. Association of Black Women Physicians

The Association of Black Women Physicians is an organized network of African-American women physicians committed to the improvement of public health and welfare, through the advancement of knowledge concerning women and the community health.

3. Atlanta GLOW

Atlanta Growing Leadership Of Women's mission is to encourage, educate and equip young, low-income women to be thriving, self-sustaining leaders and effective agents of economic growth within their communities.

4. Black Female Project

The BlackFemaleProject prepares Black women for the realities of the workplace and affirms Black women for the who thrive at work. They believe that the purpose of life is to realize their wildest dreams and to live in alignment with their gifts and calling.

5. Black Girl Beautiful

Black Girl Beautiful believes that all women of African descent are works of art and that their deep hues deserve tender loving care. Black Girl Beautiful celebrates our melanin, our bodies, our kinky and curly hair, and our graceful spirit. and that African American beauty shouldn’t be an afterthought.

6. Black Girl Giggles

Black Girl Giggles is the first festival of it’s kind dedicated to celebrating Black women and girls in comedy. Their mission is to produce shows and content highlighting how hilarious, creative and diverse black comediennes are. Ranging in ages from 10-60, performers are a mix of income levels, nationalities, relationship statuses, lifestyles, hair types, and skin tones.

7. Black Girl Ventures Foundation

Black Girl Ventures Foundation’s mission is to provide Black/Brown woman-identifying founders with access to community, capital, and capacity building in order to meet business milestones that lead to economic advancement through entrepreneurship. They fund and scale tech-enabled, revenue-generating businesses (under $1M) founded by people who identify as Black/Brown and woman. They ignite civic engagement and hyperlocal infrastructure at the intersection of business support services, supplier diversity, social and financial capital.

8. Black Girls Can

Black Girls Can Inc. is a nonprofit organization empowering black girls and women owning, leading, creating, innovating, and inspiring in their communities and at large. Black Girls Can Inc. helps foster the next generation of black girls and women into entrepreneurship, STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and civic engagement by offering free hands-on educational programs, workshops, and events.

9. Black Girls Code

Black Girls Code mission is to increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology. They provide African-American youth with the skills to occupy some of the 1.4 million computing job openings expected to be available in the U.S. by 2020, and to train 1 million girls by 2040.

10. Black Girls Do STEM

BLACK Girls Do STEM envisions a “New Normal” when there is equitable representation of black women across all STEM fields. Their mission is to trigger an increased curiosity through deliberate education, access and opportunity of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) within the minds of black girls in every community.

11. Black Girls Love Math

Black Girls Love Math addresses racial and gender inequity in mathematics. Through culturally responsive teaching practices, they cultivate a positive math identity for girls. BGLM provides enrichment, mentoring and a community for Black girls to embrace math as a tool for empowerment.

12. Black Girls Rock

BLACK GIRLS ROCK® is a multifaceted media, entertainment, philanthropic, and lifestyle brand that focuses on the empowerment of women and girls of color.The BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® movement continues to be a leading force in highlighting the spectrum of brilliance that Black women possess and remain at the vanguard of a cultural paradigm shift where Black women’s narratives, overall presence in society, and prominence in mainstream media are being elevated and recognized like never before.

13. Black Girls Run Foundation

The goal of Black Girls Run is to encourage and motivate black women to practice a healthy lifestyle. They want to serve as a fitness resource for runners and gym rats alike, as well as provide tips and commentary on staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Black Girls RUN! Foundation was created as the philanthropic arm of the national organization to support their national community footprint, programming and the expansion of the organization.

14. Black Girls Skate

Black Girls Skate (BGS) is a growing non-profit organization devoted to creating equity, visibility and safety for skaters who identify as Womxn and/or Non-binary AND Black, African, or Of Color. They are specifically invested in amplifying skaters across the Black diaspora. They are unapologetically focusing our efforts on Black womxn, while supporting/promoting IPOC (Indigenous Persons of Color).

15. Black Girls Vote

Black Girls Vote is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with a community that inspires Black Girls to use the political process to improve the quality of life for their families and the collective community.

16. Black Women Build - Baltimore

Black Women Build-Baltimore is a homeownership and wealth building initiative that trains black women in carpentry, electrical, and plumbing by restoring vacant and deteriorated houses in West Baltimore.

17. Black Women Empower Collective

The Black Women Empower Collective seeks to explore, encourage, and affirm the empowerment and solidarity of the sisterhood of the African diaspora by recognizing the historical resilience of Black womanhood, fostering economic development and entrepreneurship , and nurturing social and cultural enrichment for the betterment of Black women. The Black Women Empower Collective has united to create educational, cultural and social programs that will enlighten the minds of black women on a global level.

18. Black Women for Wellness

Black Women for Wellness is committed to the health and well-being of Black women and girls through health education, empowerment and advocacy.

19. Black Women Give

Black Women Give engages African American women and girls in philanthropy by joining a growing trend in women’s collective giving. Just like many collective giving circles, BWG believes in creating a philanthropic effort that has two primary goals: (1) educate members about community needs and (2) multiply the impact of individual gifts.

20. Black Women in Business

The mission of Black Women In Business is to unite, educate and inspire businesswomen to excel in leadership and entrepreneurship. Black Women In Business is committed to enriching lives, families and communities by providing tools for personal growth, productivity and profit. Black Women In Business is “A Movement” dedicated to a journey of self-confidence, sisterhood and success.

21. Black Women In Charge

Black Women in Charge is a nonprofit community organization powered by young Black women who advocate for Unity, Education, Health, and Racial Justice for all.

22. Black Women In Sport Foundation

Black Women in Sport Foundation, or BWSF, is an organization whose mission is to increase the involvement of black women and girls in all aspects of sport, including athletics, coaching and administration. It facilitates the involvement of women of color in every aspect of sport in the United States and around the world, through the "hands-on" development and management of grass roots level outreach programs.

23. Black Women Instilling Scholarly Excellence

Black Women Instilling Scholarly Excellence aims to embolden the academic and professional potential of young women of color across the country. They hope to foster a passion and desire in the minds and hearts of young women of color to seek academic excellence in their field of choice while also learning the importance of reinvesting such efforts in our community.

24. Black Women Lawyers Association Scholarship Fund

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (“BWLA”) is one of the fastest growing bar associations in Illinois. BWLA is representative of African-American female attorneys, judges, law professors and law students in the Chicago metropolitan area and across the Midwest. BWLA is committed to serving their membership, the greater legal community and the general public through educational programs, mentoring/networking opportunities, community outreach, scholarship awards to law students and various educational pipeline programs and initiatives.

25. Black Women Lead

Black Women Lead was formed in Los Angeles, California after the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. BWL will be at the forefront of a human rights movement and will continue to speak out against murders committed by police, campaign against violence, systemic racism, and advocate anti-racist policy, defunding the police, investing in communities and will call for the prosecution of killer cops.

26. Black Women Playrights' Group

Black Women Playwrights' Group (BWPG) is a service and advocacy group for African American playwrights writing for the professional theater. Their members include women writing their first play and those who have won many honors and awards. They support the playwriting process by critiquing their members’ work, providing workshops and readings and information on production opportunities, as well as introductions to producers.

27. Black Women United

Black Womxn United is a non-profit and community-based organization from Sacramento, California, who is dedicated to the education, protection, and advancement of ALL Black womxn. They strive to curate safe and welcoming spaces for Black womxn and Girls to thrive in.

28. Black Women’s Blueprint, Inc

The Black Women’s Blueprint, Inc. work to place Black women and girls’ lives, as well as their particular struggles, squarely within the context of the larger racial justice concerns of Black communities. They are committed to building movements where gender matters in broader social justice organizing so that all members of communities gain social, political and economic equity. They engage in progressive research, historical documentation, policy advocacy and organizing steeped in the struggles of Black women within their diverse communities and within dominant culture.

29. Black Women’s Lawyers Association Los Angeles

Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc. is dedicated to charitable, educational and community-based services. BWL was founded in 1975 after a small group of Los Angeles based African-American women judges and attorneys held a luncheon meeting to discuss the marked absence of an organization which addressed the needs and concerns of African-American women in the legal profession.

30. California Black Women’s Health Project

The California Black Women's Health Project (CABWHP) is the only statewide, non-profit organization that is solely committed to improving the health of California's 1.2 million Black women and girls through advocacy, education, outreach and policy. They focus on empowering Black women to take personal responsibility for their own health and to advocate for changes in policies that negatively affect Black women's health status.

31. Carrie's TOUCH, Incorporated

The mission of Carrie’s TOUCH is to break the silence that adversely impacts the African American community with regard to breast cancer in order to significantly increase the number of survivors. They are focused on improving the quality of life by fighting for those that cannot, will not, or do not know how to fight for themselves. They ensure that those living with breast cancer live life to the fullest!

32. DETOUR Empowers

DETOUR is a mentoring program for girls of color. Their vision is to see equity and inclusion for teen girls of color in higher education and priority sector employment. Their mission is to increase access to education and employment opportunities for girls through our Focused And Naturally Confident Youth (F.A.N.C.Y.) Leadership programs (Expo, Leadership Academy, and Ambassador Internships.)

33. Digital Undivided

Founded in 2012, Didtechnology, Inc (d.b.a digitalundivided) merges data and heart to develop innovative programs and initiatives that catalyzes economic growth in Black and Latinx communities. Their vision is to create a world where women own their work. Their mission is to use innovation to create system change by catalyzing economic growth for Black and Latinx communities through women entrepreneurs.

34. Divas With Disabilities

The Divas With Disabilities Project, also known as Divas With Disabilities (DWD), started out as a digital movement created to amplify the images of African American women with physical disabilities. It has since evolved into a network supporting Black, Indigenous and women of color girls with visible disabilities by ensuring their identities are fostered in inclusive sources of mass media and popular culture, and our images are not erased from American history.

35. Essie Justice Group

Essie Justice Group is a nonprofit organization of women with incarcerated loved ones taking on the rampant injustices created by mass incarceration. Their award-winning Healing to Advocacy Model brings women together to heal, build collective power, and drive social change.

36. Exquisite Black Women Foundation

Exquisite Black Women Foundation brings the beauty, power and sophistication of Black women to the forefront. They are focused on empowering women to feel confident, especially as it relates to claiming their rights.

37. Gyrl Wonder

Gyrl Wonder is a professional pipeline organization shaping the next generation of gyrl leaders (17-23) through social impact & career exploration. Gyrl Wonder acts as a catalyst, giving rise to ambitious girls.

38. Higher Heights Leadership Fund

Higher Heights Leadership Fund is an organization that is building a national civic engagement infrastructure and network to strengthen Black women’s leadership capacity. Higher Heights Leadership Fund is investing in a long-term strategy to expand and support Black women’s leadership pipeline at all levels and strengthen their civic participation beyond just Election Day.

39. In Our Own Voice National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda

In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national/state partnership designed to amplify and lift up the voices of Black women leaders at the national and state levels in the ongoing fight to secure Reproductive Justice for all women and girls. As a Reproductive Justice entity, they approach these issues from a human rights perspective, incorporating the intersections of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity with the situational impacts of economics, politics, and culture that make up the lived experiences of Black women in America.

40. Jelani Girls

Jelani Girls Inc. is an American nonprofit organization helping young women re-imagine what it means to be great through their international Cultural Enrichment Program. The Jelani flower is the Gazania. Native to Southern Africa, its vivid petals grow throughout the summer in very poor soil. As this flower perseveres through even the driest of conditions, so too does a Jelani Girl overcome the struggles of her environment to achieve growth and personal greatness.

41. League of Black Women

The League of Black Women empowers, educates and advocates for professional Black women aspiring to leadership within their companies, businesses and communities (local, regional, national and global). They conduct research and produce reports that deal exclusively with the challenges Black women face in pursuit of leadership ambition.

42. Melanated Excellence Foundation

The mission of Melanated Excellence Foundation is to create positive life experiences for African American girls. The goal of the Melanated Excellence Foundation is to foster self-esteem and academic excellence in girls of color. They offer a judgment-free space for each child and encourage healthy dialogue about the challenges facing young girls of color as well as provide opportunities to overcome these challenges within the community.

43. National African-American Women's Leadership Institute

The National African American Women’s Leadership Institute’s mission is to strengthen the leadership capabilities and energize women to increase impact. The leadership program was designed as a twelve-day program spanning over seven months that focuses on key leadership tenets that support professional women.

44. National Association to Advance Black Birth

The National Association to Advance Black Birth’s mission is to combat the effects of structural racism within maternal and infant health to advance black birth outcomes. They envision a world in which Black women and persons achieve their full birthing potential and thrive during the child bearing years, and have autonomy over their bodies; with optimal birth outcomes for Black women, babies and their communities, and increased options and opportunities for birth; and in which system change has brought about equitable healthcare.

45. National Black Women's Justice Institute

The National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI) aims to eliminate racial and gender disparities in the U.S. criminal legal system that are responsible for its disproportionate impact on Black women, girls, and gender nonconforming people. They engage in rigorous research and capacity building in order to transform the current system and promote policy change that centers and uplifts the voices and experiences of Black women, girls, and gender nonconforming people who have been impacted by the criminal legal system.

46. Black Women’s Health Imperative

The Black Women’s Health Imperative is focused on the health equality for all Black women and girls. They target the most pressing health issues that affect Black women and girls in the U.S. through investments in evidence based strategies, bold programs and advocacy outreach on health policies.

47. National Coalition of 100 Black Women

The Vision of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. is to see black women and girls live in a world where socio-economic inequity does not exist.Their mission is to advocate on behalf of black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment.

48. National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women Inc

The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (NOBEL Women) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization primarily composed of current and former Black women legislators as well as many appointed officials. Throughout its history, NOBEL Women have inspired women to take an active role in the making of public policy and have served as a catalyst to provide economic and social justice for all classes and races of people.

49. New Voices Pittsburgh

The mission of New Voices Pittsburgh is to build a social change movement dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women and girls through leadership development, Human Rights and Reproductive Justice. Their vision is to achieve the complete health and well-being of Black women and girls, their families and communities.

50. Sad Girls Club

Sad Girls Club is a n organization founded to create community and diminish stigma around mental health. They strive to support women of color and the millennial & GenZ population.

Photo by Don Hogan Charles/New York Times Co./Getty Images

51. Shirley’s Kitchen Cabinet

Shirley's Kitchen Cabinet is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying the voices and power of Black women through education and advocacy, so they can be effective advocates for the issues that matter to them and the communities they serve. Their vision is to see 5,000 Black women positioned to fully step into advocacy so they can wield their collective power to create, influence and challenge the trajectory of public policy to benefit Black women and the world.

52. Sister To Sister International, Inc.

Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI) is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that links women, girls and families of African descent globally, to the resources that connect, advance and strengthen them. They do this through advocacy, education and the promotion of African culture.

53. SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective

SisterSong’s mission is to strengthen and amplify the collective voices of indigenous women and women of color to achieve reproductive justice by eradicating reproductive oppression and securing human rights. They are a Southern based, national membership organization. Their purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities.

54. Stella's Girls

The mission of Stella’s Girls is to educate and empower girls and young women to become leaders, social change agents, and advocates in their communities. Their vision is to develop more confident female leaders to be equipped and passionate about leading their communities, as well as organizations, businesses, schools, and agencies domestically and internationally.

55. Talk Tech Foundation

Talk Tech Association, the 501(c)(3) Affiliate of Black Women Talk, is focused on identifying, providing support, and encouraging black women to build the next billion-dollar business. They are a collective of black women tech founders who have a unique understanding of the challenges we face in the industry, but also of the advantages we can bring.

56. The Afiya Center

The Afiya Center (TAC) was established in response to the increasing disparities between HIV incidences worldwide and the extraordinary prevalence of HIV among Black women and girls in Texas. mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression.

57. The Black Women’s Agenda

Through the establishment of social priorities (an agenda), The Black Women’s Agenda facilitates discussions that lead to effective policies and meaningful change. Their continuous vigilance on issues affecting Black women worldwide empower women to step up and mitigate the gender gaps that affect women in our society. They are devoted to advancing, securing, and protecting the rights of these women.

58. The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

The Foundation for Black Women's Wellness is a Wisconsin based non-profit organization committed to eliminating health disparities and other barriers impacting the lives of Black women and girls. They work daily to create a world where Black women and girls live long, happy and thriving lives, defined by healthy minds, bodies and spirits. They energize, mobilize and support Black women to transform their health and their lives through education, advocacy and powerful partnerships.

59. The Philadelphia Black Women's Health Alliance

The Philadelphia Black Women’s Health Alliance works to improve health care outcomes and reduce health disparities for African American and other minority women and their families through advocacy, education, research and support services. Their vision is to be the premier advocacy, health education and training organization that serves women of color and their families, while promoting and supporting their interest, education and training in the health professions to further reduce health disparities.

Know of any other organizations that work to advance Black women and girls? Email info@sassychicgeek.com to share. Check out the many different ways that we get the conversation poppin’ by listening to The SassyChicGeek Experience Podcast. Looking for a fun way to celebrate the SassyChicGeek in your life? Check out the SCG Sassy Black Box filled with goodies like tees, tote bags and coffee mugs. Journey to Sasstopia to get your customized toolkit of resources to help you show up for yourself, first, then to create meaningful change. Follow us Instagram and Facebook.

59 Nonprofits That Advance The Agenda Of Black Women & Girls