( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) Dope Black Girls Brunch Celebrates 5 Years of Honoring Black Women
ENSPIRE Contributor: Chante` Wiltz
For an eternity African American women have been overlooked in the professional setting while being deemed as ‘worthless’ and ‘ghetto’. These same women have defied the odds and continued to thrive as they make a name for themselves through the tremendous work and impacts they produce. On August 28th, a minimal number of society’s impactful Black women were recognized and honored at the annual Dope Black Girls Brunch hosted by Black Girls Vote and Color Vision at The Hamilton Restaurant in Washington, D.C. Over the course of five years the event has spotlighted, specifically, the women considered being trailblazers in the politics, advocacy, education, and media industries.
The 2022 Dope Black Girls Brunch was hosted explicitly by Dr. Wendy Osefo. She is a Professor of Education at Johns Hopkins University and a Political Commentator and Star of Bravo TV’s The Real Housewives of Potomac. Dr. Osefo conducted a panel discussion with the honorees: Cathy Hughes, Adjoa B. Asamoah, Chelsea Miller, Minda Harts, and Maya Rockeymoore Cummings Ph.D. During the panel, the attendees gained insight into each of the honorees’ journeys and knowledge about the tools and encouragement that will allow them to live up to their full potential. Both of the event’s hosts are organizations that focus on the empowerment and education of Black adolescent and adult women who benefitted from listening to the honorees.
Color Vision was founded by Mia J. Davis in 2017 with the intention of engaging, educating, and enlightening women from a variety of creative backgrounds to have the career of their dreams. The organization aims “to help women of color go from desire to achievement when it comes to their careers.” Aligning with its mission statement, Color Vision features a collective of dynamic women of color who work together to produce a variety of products and experiences powered by the culture and experience of African American Women. As the founder of the organization, Davis spoke out about the Brunch saying:
“During these past five years, this event has become a safe space for Black women to take their capes off, honor each other at the highest level, laugh, fellowship, and build each other up. “
Mia Davis, Founder of Color Vision
Similarly, Black Girls Vote was founded by Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson on November 30th, 2015 in order to uplift the black community through the education and inspiring of black women in order to comprehend the political decisions being made that affect our families and communities. Its founding date is a core pillar of the organization due to it being the birthday of the first black woman to be elected to the United States Congress, Shirley Chisholm. The organization’s vision is to elevate the quality of life for women of color globally through engaging, educating, and empowering women to activate their voices by utilizing their vote. Their founder, and the true creator of the Dope Black Girls Brunch, spoke out during the event saying:
“Over the years we have touched so many Dope Black girls and that feels amazing… I look forward to expanding to other cities…”
Nykidra Robinson, Founder of Black Girls Vote
Despite this event’s occurrence in Washington D.C., the impact left by not only this event but the organizations and Women involved was widespread. Visit the Black Girls Vote website and The Color Visions’ website and YouTube for more insight on the event.
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