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Lift Our Voices
The “Lift Our Voices” blog features analysis and opinion from NBWJI’s experts on the latest issues and news.


How Schools Can Prioritize Mental Health for Black Girls and Other Youth
Schools must prioritize mental health for Black girls and other youth by listening to youth and allowing them to lead the way.

NBWJI
Sep 1, 20214 min read


Contextualizing BIPOC Youth Mental Health
July is National BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month, which recognizes the unique mental health issues that Black, Indigenous, People of...

NBWJI
Jul 28, 20214 min read


The Case for Focusing on Black Girls’ Mental Health
Black girls have serious unmet mental health needs—it has been called a mental health crisis “hiding in plain sight.”

NBWJI
Jun 7, 20215 min read


Youth-Led Mental Health Council Aims to Promote Healing Amid Pandemic & Racial Unrest
15 youth leaders & organizations awarded an opportunity to inform policy solutions that better serve the mental health of BIPOC youth

NBWJI
May 5, 20213 min read


NBWJI Statement on the Police Killing of Ma’Khia Bryant
We are angry and anguished at learning that police in Columbus, OH, killed Ma’Khia Bryant, a 16-year-old Black girl. Ma’Khia called the...

NBWJI
Apr 20, 20212 min read


National Black Women’s Justice Institute Statement on Rochester Police Pepper-Spraying Young Girl
The National Black Women’s Justice Institute released the following statement from Executive Director Dr. Sydney McKinney responding to...

NBWJI
Feb 4, 20212 min read


National Black Women’s Justice Institute Statement on Assault of Student at Liberty High School
The National Black Women’s Justice Institute released the following statement from Executive Director Dr. Sydney McKinney responding to...

NBWJI
Feb 3, 20211 min read


NBWJI Issues Statement on #FreeGrace
The National Black Women’s Justice Institute released the following statement on Grace, a 15-year-old girl in Michigan, who was remanded to

Dr. Sydney McKinney
Jul 24, 20202 min read


NBWJI Calls For The Release Of Women And Girls In Prisons
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Black Women’s Justice Institute is calling for the release of women and girls from prison

Dr. Sydney McKinney
May 30, 20202 min read


NBWJI Goes Global
This year, we took the issue of decriminalizing Black women and girls global.

NBWJI Staff
Dec 9, 20192 min read


NBWJI Celebrates A Successful Year in the Fight to End School Pushout
2019 was an incredibly successful year in our ongoing fight to end the criminalization of Black girls in schools and to create safe and heal

NBWJI Staff
Dec 9, 20192 min read


NBWJI Research Informs New Policy to End School Pushout
A bold new piece of legislation to disrupt the school-to-confinement pathway by investing in safe and nurturing school environments for all

NBWJI Staff
Dec 6, 20192 min read


NBWJI Report Offers Solutions To Counter The Criminalization Of Black Girls
Today, The National Black Women’s Justice Institute released federal, state and local recommendations to end school pushout for Black girls

NBWJI Staff
Sep 12, 20192 min read


World Premiere of “PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools Documentary”
“PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” (PUSHOUT) will premiere at the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference on

NBWJI Staff
Sep 9, 20193 min read


Educating a Girl is Like Educating the Whole Community
In June 2019, the National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI) led a delegation to Kilgoris and Nairobi, Kenya. The delegation...
Mahogany Morris, 10th Grade High School Student
Jul 23, 20191 min read


VIP: Reframing Our Approach to Advocate for Girls of Color in Foster Care
In January 2016, I received a call that transformed how I engaged the Child Welfare/Dependency Care System, commonly referred to as Foster C
JoHanna Thompson, MPA
Jun 11, 20194 min read


Demanding Safety And Healing For Black Survivors Of Sexual Violence
The report calls for an expansion of messaging and responses to more explicitly center the experiences of Black women, girls, trans and gend

NBWJI Staff
Feb 26, 20193 min read


FreedomWork Profile: Gwen’s Girls
FreedomWork Profile: Gwen’s Girls City: Pittsburgh, PA Founded: 2002 The National Black Women’s Justice Institute devotes much time...

NBWJI Staff
Jan 21, 20193 min read


FreedomWork Profile: Columbus City Prep School for Girls
FreedomWork Profile: Columbus City Prep School for Girls City: Columbus, Ohio Founded: 2012 At the National Black Women’s Justice...

NBWJI Staff
Jan 21, 20193 min read


Schools Can Become Safe Spaces For Black Girls To Learn, Heal And Thrive
NBWJI President Uplifts FreedomWork to Protect Black Girls in Newly Released TED Talk Today, the National Black Women’s Justice Institute...

NBWJI Staff
Jan 15, 20193 min read
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