Black Girls Smile Inc. Promotes Building Community at This Year’s Sisterhood Summit to Address COVID

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, October 16, 2023

Black Girls Smile Inc. Promotes Building Community at This Year’s Sisterhood Summit to Address COVID-19 Triggered Social Isolation

ATLANTA— To continue the mental health conversations and insights discussed at July’s 'Black Girls are Magic' conference entitled, "Breaking Barriers, Building Resilience: The Path to Empowered Black Girls”, Atlanta-based nonprofit Black Girls Smile Inc. is holding a one-day in person Sisterhood Summit on Oct. 21 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. ET at Pittsburgh Yard, 352 University Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 30310.

This daylong event is for high school girls ages 13 to 18. Event activities will focus on cultivating interpersonal skills, bolstering participants ‘confidence while mitigating the effects of social isolation the pandemic left in its wake.

“During the pandemic, mental health challenges, including depression and suicidal ideations increased among young Black women and girls. Some research has attributed these mental health challenges to factors like loneliness and isolation experienced by many. As we are recovering, we want to provide tools to rebuild social connections through community. We want those who participate in the Summit to walk away with additional resources to restore their positive mental health,” expressed Lauren Carson, Black Girls Smile Inc. Founder and Executive Director.

According to a recent U.S. Surgeon General Advisory, loneliness and isolation has been regarded as a public health crisis that was exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This observance was affirmed in a statement from the American Psychological Association.

“Social connection and being in community is so important to the mental welfare of young Black women and girls. We experience so many stressors which include, in some cases, being caretakers of siblings and family members. It takes a village. Black Girls Smile wants to help our program participants to build that village,” remarked Black Girls Smile Inc.’s Chief of Staff Paige Woods.

Participants will receive entrance to all sessions and activities along with a wellness kit.

Those interested can register online https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-girls-smile-annual-sisterhood-summit-2023-tickets-718835615677?aff=oddtdtcreator.

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ABOUT

Black Girls Smile is a Black woman-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. that provides mental health services to young Black women and girls across the United States.