The School of Social Work recently served as a sponsor, partner, and participant in the 9th Annual She Matters Equity Summit and Awards Ceremony, presented by Gwen’s Girls, the Black Girls Equity Alliance (BGEA), and the University of Pittsburgh. The event took place at the William Pitt Union on Pitt’s campus.
This year’s summit went beyond a typical conference, offering a week of virtual and in-person events focused on Black girls and the adults who support them. With the theme, “Cultivating a Community Where Black Girls Thrive,” the summit encouraged participants to imagine a world where Black girls can thrive in all aspects of their lives. Importantly, the BGEA highlighted that Black girls cannot truly thrive unless the adults who care for them are also well. The summit incorporated activities such as morning walks, journaling exercises, wellness challenges, and podcast recommendations as part of a collective healing journey.
The event featured a presentation by Dr. Sara Goodkind, Professor and Doctoral Program Director at the School of Social Work. Dr. Goodkind, along with Kimberly Booth, is a co-convener of the Black Girls Equity Alliance Juvenile Justice Action Team. This team is working to address inequities that impact Black girls in Allegheny County, leading efforts to disrupt the pathways that often lead Black youth into the juvenile justice system.
The Black Girls Equity Alliance, which organized the summit, operates four action teams focused on improving outcomes for Black girls in the areas of child welfare, juvenile justice, education, and health and wellness. These teams promote collaborative initiatives such as trauma-informed care training, data-driven problem solving, participatory action research, and using community resources to better serve Black girls. The School of Social Work’s involvement in the summit highlights its ongoing commitment to supporting Black girls and contributing to systemic change through research and action. Click here to learn more about the Black Girls Equity Alliance.