February Newsletter

As we celebrate this month, we remember that Black people and Black history are interwoven into the rich tapestry of America. We have been innovators, entrepreneurs, change-makers, advocates, and so much more. Our survival has depended on our spirit of resilience and ingenuity. This spirit has enabled leaders throughout generations in the fight for our equitable treatment. The root of this, has been and continues to be our right to use our vote as our voice. In honor of Black History Month, we have highlighted leaders and pivotal points in our history. These are people and moments that demonstrate our boldness in the face of adversity and oppression. Sadly, some of the very same struggles we had over 150 years ago persist to this day, which is why we are #TiredofFighting. Follow us on social media @blackgirlsvote to learn about some of the individuals and occasions when we have resisted, and why even though we are tired, we must persevere.
-Nyki ✨

Membership

If you are receiving this newsletter, you have not yet joined the Black Girls Vote movement. BGV membership is a direct and powerful way to change our communities and stand as a united front for our representation of our women and girls. Black Girls Vote inspires the new generation of young women to vote and become a strong voice within their communities. And because of this, we need your help in expanding our network. Our multi-tiered membership plan ensures that regardless of financial background, there is a tier that is suitable for everyone. For a one-time annual fee, you can become a BGV member today! Click here to enjoy the full benefits of membership.

In Case You Missed It

February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular diseases disproportionately affect Black women, and are a leading cause of death, regardless of age, claiming approximately 50,000 lives annually. In honor of American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day (February 4, 2022), Black Girls Vote raises awareness for practicing good heart health and encourages you to wear red and do the same!

This month, our Founder & CEO Nykidra Robinson was a featured panelist in a conversation hosted by Howard University’s School of Business. This discussion was a candid conversation on how to create and sustain a non-profit organization, particularly as Black founders. Each panelist brought unique perspectives ranging from using data-driven metrics to secure funding to building and maintaining relationships strategically to expand your network…

Last month, we celebrated MLK Day with a day of service. BGV volunteered to attend Our Daily Bread Center in Baltimore, MD to feed those who are experiencing homelessness and register voters. Thank you to all of our members who showed up in the freezing cold to pack and distribute meals to those less fortunate than us. And thank you to everyone who donated to these efforts to ensure that we had gloves, masks, and supplies to pack lunches.

North Carolina A&T’s BGV chapter attended Out of the Garden Project to pack and sort food at their Greensboro warehouse. The Out of the Garden Project helps to provide meals to families with food insecurities throughout Greensboro and the surrounding area. To volunteer with NC A&T BGV, make sure you follow @ncat_bgv!

Black Girls on the Move

This year, we launched a campaign that will highlight Black women across the country who are putting in WERK but may not always get the spotlight they deserve. This campaign, “We See You Sis,” was kicked off with Britt Jones-Chukura, Co-Founder of Justice for Georgia….

Black women are disproportionately burdened by student debt. On Thursday, February 17th at 12:00PM EST, we are calling the White House to demand that at least $50,000 of student debt for all borrowers is canceled. In partnership with our friends at United State of Women, we will urge President Biden to invest in Black women’s futures by using executive action to cancel student loan debt before the federal student loan payment pause ends on May 1, 2022. Join us in calling and register for this event.

BGV Partnership Spotlight

This month, we would like to shine a light on one of our partners, Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is a long-time sponsor of the Black Girls Vote Ball. Through their years of investment, we have been able to make sure that each BGV Ball is bigger and better than the last! Additionally, they have partnered with our chapters at the collegiate level in order to create signature events across college campuses. Equitable access to healthcare is one of the pillars of BGV, so as we continue to push conversations on Black maternal health, systemic racism in medicine, health and wellness, and much more, we are collaborating with Planned Parenthood to bring you informative and engaging events with our trademark BGV vibe. Thank you for your continued support, Planned Parenthood! We are loving the way the this partnership has grown.

BGV News

BGV supports MD SB166 and MD HB765. This month, Black Girls Vote Advocacy Co-Leads, Lauren Wyatt and Krystal Leaphart testified before the Maryland General Assembly in support of MD HB765 and MD SB166 respectively, which would establish the Maryland Medical Assistance Doula Program. These bills would require the Maryland Department of Health to administer the Doula Program…

Black History Month this year was started with a series of racist attacks across the nation as HBCUs were targeted in a coordinated effort to terrorize our young people via threats of bombing and violence. In particular, three universities with BGV Chapters were endangered: Bowie State University, Howard University, and Morgan State University. BGV’s national headquarters stands in solidarity with all HBCUs that were targeted in this attack…

Black Girls’ Voices Matter!

February 2022, BGV is shining a spotlight on Asya Brandt. Asya has a very unique journey in her becoming a member of the BGV team. She first joined Black Girls Vote in 2019, when she founded the North Carolina A&T chapter as a student. She served as the chapter’s very first president before her graduation as a Mass Communications: Public Relations major in 2020…
To read more, become a BGV member today.

Pass the Torch

This month, Pass the Torch celebrates Ms. Olivia Fleming! Olivia is currently a third year Honors Psychology student and a member of our collegiate chapter at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (@ncat_bgv)…

Views from the Yard

On February 6th, Black Girls Vote’s first collegiate chapter celebrated four years! Morgan State University BGV Chapter was established in 2018 by Miasya Parker and Kayla Jones. After graduating MSU, Miasya continued to be an active member of BGV and currently serves as the Co-Lead of the Collegiate Ambassadors Program. The MSU chapter set the blueprint each of our collegiate chapters and continues to impress us with their regular campus events and outreach. Congratulations @msubgv!! We are so proud of all that you have accomplished in these four years.

CALLING ALL HOWARD STUDENTS!! If you haven’t already, come out and join HU BGV in their chapter’s interest week. Every day this week there is a different event planned to showcase what BGV has to offer and many ways to get involved. You do NOT want to miss out! Follow @hu_bgv to get updates on where and when you can be a part of BGV too!

In celebration of Black History Month, North Carolina A&T BGV partnered Metro Aggies and NC A&T’s NAACP chapter to create, “Paying it Forward.” This event is a celebration of Black women in politics throughout history, and features special guests Durham City Council Member Jillian Johnson, and Greensboro City Council Member Hugh Holston. Make sure you follow @ncat_bgv to get updates on more events from our NC A&T chapter. Great job ladies!

American University BGV has partnered with AU College Democrats to host an open forum style event discussing issues that effect the District of Columbia with the Black candidates who are running for office there. Don’t miss out! Follow @au_bgv for information on how to register for and attend this event.

Black Girls Need Jobs Too!

Black Girls Need Internships Too!

Black Girls Volunteer Too!

#BGVOutreach Intern Needed

Black Girls Vote Organization Summary

Black Girls Vote, Inc. (BGV), is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with an objective of engaging, educating, and empowering black women, particularly those 18-25 years old, to activate their voice by utilizing their vote. BGV is committed to uplifting the black community through education and inspiring black women to understand the public policy decisions affecting their families and communities. It is our mission to inspire black women to use the political process to improve the quality of life for families and the collective community. It is our vision to elevate the quality of life for black women globally.

Outreach Intern Duties and Responsibilities

Research training materials, recruitment, and marketing strategies
Work with visual art and education teams to develop school tour content and attend school tours when available
Assist in development of Community Outreach Protocols
Support outreach efforts though social media and accompanying outreach staff at community events which supports Black Girls Vote’s mission and vision
As required and available, assist Special Events teams with logistical and programmatic needs
Ability to work with effectively in a culturally diverse environment
Team player who works both well in a unit and can complete tasks given proper supervision
Strong sense of initiative and work ethic
Completed at least one year of undergraduate studies
Excellent written and communication skills
Currently enrolled in degree-granting program
Available 10-15 hours per week including some evening and/or weekend hours
Other duties as assigned.

This position is ideal for high school seniors in need of volunteer hours or college students in need of course credits.

Sound like you?
Apply by emailing your cover letter and resume to Shirmel Wiggs at swiggs@blackgirlsvote.com. Please indicate “BGV Outreach Intern” in the subject line. Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

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