NBWJI President Dr. Monique W. Morris Appointed as First Executive Director of Grantmakers for Girls
The National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI) is excited to announce the appointment of its President, Monique W. Morris, Ed.D, as Grantmakers for Girls of Color's first Executive Director. Dr. Morris, an award-winning author, educator and activist, holds three decades of experience in the areas of education, civil rights, juvenile and social justice, and has been a lifelong advocate for improving the educational and socioeconomic conditions for girls and women of color. Dr. Morris is the co-founder and president of NBWJI.
Read the Grantmakers for Girls of Color's full announcement here.
"I am humbled and honored to become the first Executive Director of the Grantmakers for Girls of Color (G4GC), a philanthropic project that will steer resources to support our girls and young women in communities across the country," says Dr. Monique W. Morris. “I look forward to continuing to advocate and advance the voices and lived experiences of girls and young women of color throughout the United States.”
G4GC's is an independent organization, fiscally-sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors with a mission to convene philanthropic support and increase resources for girls of color. As G4GC's first Executive Director, Dr. Morris will work with a staff to design and implement the organization's strategic mission and vision including developing imaginative and effective programming, strategic communications, and in the near future, an equitable and thoughtful participatory grantmaking program to increase resources for girls of color. She will build on the incredible momentum created by girls of color, the movements that center their voices and G4GC's growing funder community.
"I am elated for Dr. Morris and this new opportunity for her," says Dr. Sydney McKinney, NBWJI Acting Executive Director. "She has made an indelible mark on our field, tirelessly working to remove the barriers that girls and young women of color face, while building pathways to healing, justice, and opportunity. The National Black Women's Justice Institute is a testament to what her visionary leadership can bring forth. She built this organization from the ground up, and we are delighted that she will remain an integral part of our family, continuing to support our work as Chair of our Board of Directors."
Initially a project of the NoVo Foundation and other philanthropic partners, G4GC launched as an online platform in 2015. Since then, G4GC has grown into a powerful movement spurred by activists and advocates, and has held annual national convenings that connect funders to the issues facing girls and young women of color and to help philanthropy better respond to their needs.
To learn more about G4GC, please visit GrantmakersforGirlsofColor.org.
###
The National Black Women’s Justice Institute (NBWJI) is a leading research, training, and technical assistance provider to public agencies, institutions, and foundations on countering the criminalization of Black women and girls. NBWJI works to reduce racial and gender disparities across the justice continuum affecting Black women, girls, and their families, by conducting research, providing technical assistance, engaging in public education, promoting civic engagement and advocating for informed and effective policies. We conduct research, evaluation, and technical assistance from an intersectional lens that centers race/ethnicity and gender as well as gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation/identity for participants, staff, and partner organizations/individuals.