Editor’s note: This story references the previous TT Grants program. For information on the current LFJ Educator Fund, click here.
In May 2018, a group of Black and Brown girls celebrated the second annual Love Your Magic Conference in Boston, designed to empower them to practice self-love, self-advocacy and sisterhood. With help from a Learning for Justice Educator Grant, the conference provided students with a variety of workshops and resources.
The day opened with performances and reflections, as well as remarks from Ayanna Pressley, the first woman of color elected to the Boston City Council. Participants learned and discussed practical ways to honor their identities, including celebrating self-love, affirmation and sisterhood.
In the day’s final session on self-advocacy, participants talked about portrayals of Black and Brown girls and women in the media. They brainstormed ways to counteract negative narratives and ways they can advocate for themselves and one another.
At the end of the day, the whole group came back together to focus on building community. Each participant walked away from the conference with a wealth of knowledge and a swag bag including two books: I Know I Can! and Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History.
Ehrenhalt is the program manager for school partnerships at Learning for Justice.