March 29th 2024.
As Women's History Month draws to a close, the African American Policy Forum hosted their 10th annual "Her Dream Deferred: A Week on the Status of Black Women and Girls." This weeklong event delved into the various challenges and crises faced by Black women and girls, particularly in areas such as education, maternal healthcare, and the entertainment industry. As the series comes to an end, attendees are eagerly anticipating the final event on March 29 at 10:30 A.M. EDT - the Youth Leadership Summit: Girls & Women Reading and Leading Through Resistance. This summit aims to inspire the next generation of activists and leaders through research, "artivism," and community building.
In addition to the summit, guests are also invited to a private screening and talk-back of the award-winning film "Daughters" from the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Moderated by AAPF's Glenda Smiley and Angela Patton, the session will feature a keynote address from Venus Evans-Winters, the Black Girls Initiatives Research Coordinator for the organization. Other notable speakers and workshop leaders include resident artists Abby Dobson, Gina Loring, and Dina Wright Joseph, as well as acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi, known for her works "American Street" and "Black Enough," and a team of youth researchers.
Since its establishment in 2015, "Her Dream Deferred" has been a platform to amplify the voices and stories of Black women and girls through a series of events focused on art and activism. This year, AAPF expanded their efforts with the launch of the "Status of Black Women" series, recognizing the significant political power held by Black women voters during the 2020 election.
AAPF Co-Founder and Executive Director Kimberlé Crenshaw emphasizes the urgent need to address the disregard and discrimination faced by Black women and girls, stating, "The disregard for Black women and girls is not just a result of racism or sexism - it is a deliberate attack on civil rights and democracy." She goes on to highlight the increasing targeting, silencing, and displacement of Black women in various industries, including academia and corporate diversity and inclusion positions, as a result of the "war on 'woke.'"
From March 25-29, this year's series brought attention to these ongoing injustices and challenges. The week of events centered on amplifying the stories of Black women and acknowledging the advocacy efforts that have been "weaponized" to suppress their rights. The programming included five events: the Ida B. Wells Symposium, the #SayHerName: An Artivism & Advocacy Book Club, the "In the Bullseye of the Backlash" panel, the "You Carry the Dream: Reclaiming Rest & Resilience" self-care event, and the Youth Leadership Summit.
This year, the series offered attendees both in-person and virtual options, providing flexibility for those unable to attend in person. AAPF also released a new fact sheet, "Status of Black Women in 2024," which examines the current state of Black women in various areas such as political representation, state and private violence, education, reproductive justice, and issues facing youth.
In addition to the thought-provoking and empowering events, journalist Linsey Davis, known for her work empowering girls worldwide, released a new children's book that aligns perfectly with the mission and focus of "Her Dream Deferred." This serves as a reminder of the continued need to amplify the voices and stories of Black women and girls, and the power they hold in creating change and shaping the future.
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