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Black Girl Rising visits East High School with Letters of Love, Hope, and Empowerment
October 5, 2022 -- "You are a girl of power! You are love in motion. You are the best! You are good enough, just as you are. You are the light of the world," are a few affirmations recently shared with the young ladies at East High School.
"We want the girls of Columbus to know, we see you, we love you, and we are here for you," said Black Girl Rising, Inc (BGR) founder Fran Frazier.
Last year, the tragic death of 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant left Frazier brokenhearted and emotionally drained. Nevertheless, Frazier wanted to do something to support and help Central Ohio black girls traumatized by the shooting, coronavirus, and other societal issues.
Frazier decided to reach out to about 100 women, inviting them to write love letters to black girls in Columbus. As a result, a collection of love letters written by who Frazier refers to as a "village of black women" are now published in a book entitled "Love Letters to Black Girls."
"For our young ladies, having a village of black women in this community means we have your back. We will not be silent on your behalf anymore. We will speak up for you in all the places where your lives are held important," said Frazier.
The "Love Letters to Black Girls" campaign kicked off on Friday, September 29, at East High School, where 40 black and brown girls participated. CCS’s Ridgeview Middle School and West High School hosted afternoon sessions on the same day. In addition, weekend sessions were held at various Columbus Metropolitan Library locations and the Kelton House Museum and Garden.
Each event included multigenerational, service-oriented women from all walks of life who read letters from the Love Letters to Black Girls book. A panel of eight black women, including former Columbus City Council member Priscilla Tyson, NAACP Columbus president Nana Watson, Urban Strings Columbus founder Catherine Willis, and former Columbus City School Board member W. Shawna Gibbs, were in attendance.
"It is such an honor to be here," said Gibbs. When I look at you, I see myself. I see myself at South Mifflin, I see myself at Franklin Middle School, I see myself in high school; I want you to know that I see you and all that you are," said Gibbs.
Sharing the love letter entitled "A Love Letter from Your Mirror," Gibbs challenges the girls to affirm their self-worth daily.
National Council for Negro Women, Inc (NCNW) President Vivian Jackson-Anderson became involved with the project as an opportunity to encourage and inspire.
"They can read this book of love letters, again and again, knowing that there is a community of women that care for them; that's always thinking of them," said Jackson-Anderson.
East High School assistant principal Ivory Hister received the opportunity to read one of the love letters in the book. In an excerpt from the community love letter, Hister shares the following message.
"The violence happening in our neighborhoods and our society is not normal. We are weary of the unnecessary killings of our young people. It is not okay; the death of black girls is our wake-up call that screams for us to unite on many levels. You are receiving this love letter today because the voices of your village want you to know that we are surrounding you with love and support."
As the event concludes, Frazier takes the stage to address the young ladies one more time. She shares that each student will receive a copy of the Love Letter to Black Girl book in their swag bag as a thank you from BGR for attending.
"We had over 80 women write love letters, and we put them in this book that you will be receiving today. We are here for you because we care about you. Whether you know us or not doesn't make a difference. We want you to know that hundreds of white, Black, Latinx, Asian, and Indian women care about you and are praying for you. You are not invisible," said Frazier.
While Frazier encourages students to share the book with others, she reiterates the importance of working together in the community, supporting and helping save the lives of black and brown girls in Columbus.
"We are doing this because most of the young girls in our city are having a hard time. Many may be struggling with mental health issues. We stand guard to hold you up and to give you motivation when you need to be stronger," said Frazier.
The book Love Letters to Black Girls provides encouragement, love, and support to our black and brown girls. This campaign reflects upon the six Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes, particularly global empathy. BGR is leading the way in providing open dialogue to issues affecting our black and brown girls as POG embarks on taking action to make the world more equitable and inclusive, preparing students to become advocates for themselves and change.