Full Breakdown
Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium Announces $350,000 Grant Program and Summer “Joy and Justice” Tour
6/27/2026, 3:22:54 AM
Grant Initiative, Tour, and Funding Details
The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium will award $350,000 in grants to 24 community organizations in 13 Southern states. Funding targets programs that improve maternal health, prevent gender-based violence, and provide educational support for underserved Black women and girls. The grants accompany a “Joy and Justice” tour that will host community-building events, resource drives, and festivals in nine cities, primarily at schools and community centers in majority-Black neighborhoods. A rally is planned at the Virginia Capitol with state agency leaders promoting diversity.
Historical and Political Context
The grant rollout follows the 2024 election, after which the Trump administration intensified scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, using civil-rights statutes to investigate alleged “anti-white racism” and “illegal DEI” practices in corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies. This shift has produced a funding crunch for race- and gender-focused nonprofits. Black women in the South have historically faced underfunded schools, voting restrictions, and political violence under Jim Crow, yet remain central to the region’s economy and culture.
Key Leaders and Official Statements
LaTosha Brown, voting-rights activist and co-founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund and the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium, and Chanceé Lundy, executive director of Southern Black Girls, lead the initiative. The consortium described the grants as a response to “the gaps that organizations are experiencing” and affirmed its commitment to “fill the gaps” while celebrating Black women’s contributions as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. The organization framed the Joy and Justice tour as a platform for community empowerment and resource distribution.
Funding Challenges
Representatives noted that the broader retreat in philanthropy has made it “extremely difficult” for race- and gender-focused nonprofits to maintain corporate and foundation support. The consortium indicated the current federal environment can “punish” organizations for their equity focus, creating additional obstacles to funding.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’ve seen this retrenchment in philanthropy, and people are not putting resources on the ground,” — Chanceé Lundy, Executive Director, Southern Black Girls
- “We’re being punished for who we are,” — LaTosha Brown, Voting-rights activist and co-founder, Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium
- “You have to have a deep, deep sense of humanity to be able to do that,” — Chanceé Lundy, Executive Director, Southern Black Girls
- “And you’re not a victim. You are actually the solution, that you are the antidote to what is happening right now.” — Chanceé Lundy, Executive Director, Southern Black Girls
Upcoming Activities
The Joy and Justice tour will continue through the summer, ending with the Virginia Capitol rally. The consortium will evaluate the grant cycle’s impact and consider additional funding for future programs that support Black women and girls across the South.
