Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium increased its grantmaking activity in 2025, committing more than $1.2 million to organisations and businesses supporting Black girls and women across the Southern United States, despite a national pullback in equity-focused funding.
The Selma-based philanthropic organisation said the funding was distributed through its Black Girls Dream Fund, Innovation Fund and Black Girls Defense Fund. In total, the investment supported more than 60 organisations and over 25 small businesses operating in 13 Southern states.
During the year, Southern Black Girls also reached a significant landmark in one of its flagship initiatives. The organisation awarded its 1,000th Black Girl Joy Challenge grant, marking a milestone for the programme, which provides direct financial support to girls aged 13 to 24 who are working to create positive change in their communities. Launched in 2020, the initiative added 100 new grants in 2025 alone.
“This year proved that even in difficult times, investing in organizations that center Black girls and women is an act of resistance, imagination, and faith in the future,” said Chanceé Lundy, Executive Director of Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium.
The organisation’s national convening also returned this year. In June, more than 1,300 Black girls and women gathered in Atlanta for the 2025 Black Girls Dream Conference. The two-day event, themed “She Got Next,” featured 80 workshops focused on STEAM subjects, mental health, financial empowerment and social justice.
Southern Black Girls reported continued progress in its work with Black women entrepreneurs. Among those supported in 2025 was Crystal Chisholm, founder of The Oyster Journal, a platform designed to connect oyster growers with consumers. Chisholm received mentoring and financial backing through the Dream Investment Program.
“When I first launched my app, I built it myself, but I had technical limitations,” Chisholm said. “This grant allowed me to hire a contractor to add premium features that will generate revenue for the first time. This marks our shift from building community to creating financial sustainability.”
The year also represented the first full year of leadership for Lundy as Executive Director. Her appointment carries personal significance, following a mentoring relationship with Founder LaTosha Brown that began more than three decades ago in Selma.
Reflecting on the year, Lundy wrote to supporters: “As this year comes to a close, I’m reminded that even when the road is rough, we are still holding on. Even under pressure, we showed up, expanded our giving, and stayed intentional about meeting this moment.”
Southern Black Girls said it plans to continue expanding its grantmaking and strengthening grassroots organisations across the South in the years ahead.
