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Our Story


Black Girls Smile is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing mental health and well-being through culturally responsive education, healing spaces, and access to care. Our work centers joy, resilience, and community, and is rooted in the belief that mental wellness is a right, not a privilege.

Founded in response to the lack of culturally affirming mental health support for Black girls and young women, Black Girls Smile exists to ensure they are seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

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Where Wellness Blooms Freely.

We promise affirming, accessible, and unapologetically Black girl-centered mental health support and spaces — so every Black girl can thrive on her own terms.

This promise guides how we design programs, show up in community, and build systems of care rooted in dignity, agency, and belonging.

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Our Promise to the Community

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Group of women and children smiling for a photo at an indoor event with a pink sign that reads "Black Girls Smile".
Two women are laughing and smiling at each other in front of a brick wall at a Black Girls Smile event. One has curly black hair and is wearing a blue top, the other has short curly hair, wearing large earrings, and a black top with jewelry.
A woman arranging a floral display on a wooden table with a colorful assortment of flowers and greenery, under modern pendant lighting in an indoor setting.
Two women in an art gallery. One woman, standing, is wearing a zebra print shirt and has black hair. The other woman, sitting, is wearing glasses and a cream-colored top. Artwork is visible on the wall behind them.

Who We Center

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Our work centers Black girls and young women, while intentionally engaging the caregivers, educators, and community members who support them. We believe mental wellness is collective — and healing happens in relationship.

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Three smiling young women taking a selfie together indoors, with green plants in the background.
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Theory Of Change

We believe lasting mental wellness for Black girls and young women happens when care is preventive, culturally grounded, and community-centered.

  • Our theory of change is simple:

    When Black girls and young women have access to affirming mental health education, supportive relationships, and culturally responsive care — and when the adults and systems around them are equipped to support that care — they are better able to build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and lead mentally healthy lives.

    We operationalize this through:

    • Early and preventive mental health education

    • School- and community-based programming

    • Healing-centered group spaces

    • Pathways to culturally responsive therapy

    Support for caregivers, educators, and advocates

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Where We’re Going

As Black Girls Smile continues to grow, our commitment remains the same: to build a future where mental health care is affirming, accessible, and rooted in the lived experiences of Black girls and young women.

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Meet Black Girl Smile

The Black Girls Smile board, Six women standing together in colorful dresses, smiling against a beige background.
Image of Lauren Carson,a woman with curly hair smiling and resting her face on her hands, wearing a pink satin shirt against a neutral background.
A stylized illustration of a paper airplane with a dotted flight path, a small star, and a purple glow outline on a black background.
Meet The Team

Letter From Founder