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2023 Black Girl Rally: Friday, October 6

Calling all Black girls, Black girl champions, girl-centered programs, and creative industry leaders! It's time to rally for Black girls.

The Girls For A Change (GFAC) Black Girl Rally is like a pep rally, but with the added potential to learn, network, make a difference, and join a significant movement. This annual event brings together the community and Black girls to explore solutions, learn how to be a changemaker, get a taste of that Girls For A Change energy and culture, and learn about upcoming GFAC programs.

2023 Theme:
"I Make My Joy"

This year’s theme is “I Make My Joy: Unlocking expressions of creativity can bring you joy.”
The full-day agenda aims to ignite each girl's imagination, inspire her next big idea, and serve as a catalyst for positive change. This creative, fun-filled event will include a Joy Market open to the community and evening programming for rising 6th-12th grade girls.

Full program overview + How you can support us

Our 2023 Black Girl Rally is a day to celebrate creativity and Black girls, featuring local Guest DJs who will enhance the event with their unique experiences and talents.

Shop with Us: Joy Market

12 PM - 5 PM / Open to the Public
The community is invited to shop the “Joy Market”, a vibrant marketplace full of local creators, designers, collectors, and curators, a DJ, and food trucks. Virginia Union University students and surrounding college students can enjoy discounts on food and treasures by presenting a school ID.

The Joy Market is the community-focused segment of our Black Girl Rally and is open to everyone. However, our evening activities are exclusively for girls in rising 6th through 12th grades.

Market Vendors Wanted

Interested in vending at our Joy Market? We're accepting applications for artisans, creators, and curators. Click here to apply

Stephenie Foster Advocate of the Year Award

Girls For A Change is honored to be named the runner-up for the
Stephenie Foster Advocate of the Year Award! Stephenie Foster will join us at the Black Girl Rally to present a check for $2,500, talk to participants about the importance of advocacy, and participate in one of the many activation stations as part of the evening programming.

Eat with Us: "Where Black Girls Create Joy"

Chew & Chat for Rising 6th- 12th grade girls only

The evening activities will help girls tap into their creative joy, even under stressful conditions. Girls For A Change will host a dinner and panel discussion featuring dynamic Black women and girls in creative industries who will share how they use creativity to spearhead movements, leave enduring legacies, and cultivate joy.

Create with Us: Creative Industry Workshops

Rising 6th -12th grade girls only

Skilled facilitators will guide attendees through a series of creative exercises, ranging from T-shirt screen printing to virtual reality experiences, aimed at helping every girl identify what brings them joy and how to incorporate it into their daily lives.

Creative, Tech, Wellness, & Fashion Industry Experts Needed for Table Facilitations

We're looking for creative industry experts interested in hosting a table during our workshop session. Table hosts will design a creativity station for participants to cycle through every 20-30 minutes to learn new skills and discover different types of creative expression. Sign up to host a table here

The Art for Self Care Sistah Circle

Our Black Girl Rally will close with a Sistah Circle - a tradition in GFAC programs. We'll gather to discuss self-care and share advice with Breath, movement, and wellness educator Da-Shanda Burton.