Support Girls Like Us to support black girls

Girls Like Us  have been supporting and creating safe spaces for black girls since 2018. Girls Like Us work towards giving black girls the room to learn about themselves and the world around them, and how this may affect them. They are provided the tools to grow self-awareness, aspirations and elevate through personal development and career pathways. 

For Girls Like Us,  empathy and understanding for black girls are vital for them to negate negative stereotypes, mistreatment, voice silencing and othering that are often the lived experiences of black girls and women. This can leave them without confidence, support and guidance, therefore, it is important to consider the many socio- economic factors related to gender, race, sexuality, or other identities that influence the way black girls live, work and study.

We were able to successfully run an online programme supported by the council in collaboration with the LVMH group. That impacted 30 young women between the ages of 15 and 26, mostly living and studying in the borough of Barking & Dagenham but included black girls from across London and staying across the UK. The funding was not able to cover everybody, however we were still able to accept these women onto the programme. 

Professional careers in the fashion and beauty industry are rarely advertised positive career pathways for young women of colour. In light of the social media influencer era, there is a stigma around fashion and beauty and its link to a negative influence. However, positively there has been an inflation of public figures and brands challenging, defying and negating colonial beauty standards. Girls Like Us believe this should be celebrated more and our programme aims to both empower and educate.

The program featured guest speakers from LVMH fashion, perfume and cosmetics and luxury goods, as well as an industry breakdown masterclass from Anique Crystal. 

For all the success of the program, it is clear  that 6 weeks is not enough time to deliver the support and mentorship necessary to help the girls achieve their goals and consolidate the progress they have made thus far. Further funding is essential to make their aspirations a reality.

Similarly, if you're able to contribute in other ways i.e mentorship, programme sponsorship, please email [email redacted]

Thank you in advance!