“What Holds Us” The Lighthouse kicks off conversation series for Black girls about democracy, resistance today

Twelve+ cities, one global conversation for young feminists 

Who runs the world? Right-wing fascists girls! image credit: Jocephus Martin

Girls and young women have always been early responders in moments of

democratic crisis — often before the world names the threat. Right now, rightwing movements are not just attacking them, they’re actively recruiting and using them to perpetrate their anti-feminist agendas. It’s crucial we have a public understanding and reckoning of what it’s like to be a girl or a woman surviving these specific circumstances. 

Starting August 30, The Lighthouse | Black Girl Projects will launch the first of a series of conversation circles for Black girls and young women of color as part of a larger Reimagining and Building Democracy Series called "What Holds Us." The circles focus on living inside a democratic crisis, resisting authoritarian pressure and imagining a future worth building. The Lighthouse is serving as the U.S. regional anchor for an international conversation series that also includes Latin America and the Caribbean.

This series exists to put that reality directly to the young people living inside it, document what they know, and make sure their answers reach the funders and democracy actors who have the resources to respond.  

The first conversation will kick off this week virtually with girls from New York City and surrounding area, facilitated by Lighthouse Alice Dunbar Nelson fellow Keturah Kendrick.  

Next, we’ll see conversations in: 

1. Chicago

2. Albuquerque

3. Portland,

4. San Juan 

5. Durham

6. Little Rock

7. Madison, Wi.

8. New Orleans

9. Pomona, Ca.

10. Raymond, Miss.

11. Washington DC

Would you like to see a conversation circle come to your city? Let us know in the comments.

The Black Girl Times will share insights, photos and other tidbits from the conversation circles as appropriate, so stay tuned.