Tag: Black women

It took 250 years for an American state to elect a Black woman as governor. On Tuesday, Georgia changed that. Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman ever elected to lead a state. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, voters elected Stacey Plaskett governor. Two Black women. Two historic wins. One clear message: Black women are not waiting on history. We are writing it.

Black people thrive in community, building bonds and creating safe spaces both within and beyond bloodlines. For Black women living with breast cancer, turning that community into a circle they can count on can make all the difference, especially as research suggests social connections impact cancer outcomes. A recently published study found that participants who maintained frequent contact with family and friends had a lower risk of death.

In a sports media industry where race and gender shape whose voices are heard, three Black women are reshaping how stories of athletes at historically Black colleges and universities are told. HBCU GO broadcasters Nia Symone, Lawrencia Moten and Nicole Hutchison bring their perspectives to national audiences, telling stories beyond the final score. They see HBCU sports as deserving greater attention, particularly given resource disparities between programs.

There is something powerful about Black women gathering around a table. For generations, our tables have been places where we share stories, exchange wisdom, celebrate victories, and make plans for what comes next. With Election Day just around the corner, we are turning dining tables into organizing spaces and transforming conversation into action.

Debbie Allen doesn't shy away from hard conversations. In a recent interview, the legendary choreographer and actress addressed how colorism fueled childhood tensions between her and her sister Phylicia Rashad, shedding light on an uncomfortable reality many Black families navigate in silence.

Black women have always been at the center of movements, even when history did not give them credit. For many Black LGBTQ+ changemakers, the intersectionality of race and sexuality creates even greater barriers. Women like Barbara Smith and Stormé DeLarverie turned identity into power, while others like Lori Lightfoot, Laphonza Butler and Karine Jean-Pierre wielded visibility into political action. These disrupters, activists, artists and politicians expanded what leadership can look like.