It was just a few weeks ago on June 3, 2022 when the Go Girl Conference invited Black girls in the 5th-8th grade to celebrate Black girlhood. The event was held at the UWM Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business where 210 girls attended.
Milwaukee native Jovan Goodman partnered with Dr. Jendayi Mbalia and Rosa Thompson to bring the conference to Milwaukee. Dr. Mbalia took the blueprint from her Black Girl Conference in Madison, Wisconsin and helped Goodman create the day-long event.
“When do we get a chance to just be celebrated?” asked Goodman. “All we have to do is create the space and magic happens.”
The conference’s goal was to create a unique environment where Black girls were celebrated, inspired and could connect with mentors and peers in their community, while combatting the negative Black girl narrative.
The girls had the opportunity to expand their knowledge, participate in empowering sessions with presenters who serve girls in Milwaukee, along with creating new friendships.