Our Black Girls

As a child, I was deeply moved by stories of Black girls and women who made headlines due to tragic events. It wasn't a fascination with tragedy that drew me in; it was the recognition in their faces that mirrored my own. I empathized with their families and loved ones who suffered while these women were missing, who felt anger at their mistreatment, or who grieved for those who lost their lives. In my twenties, I made some questionable choices. I often walked home alone at night and found myself at after-parties with strangers in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Though I thought I was just embracing the carefree spirit of youth, I was neglecting my safety and ignoring the wise lessons my mother, a former police officer, had instilled in me about being aware of my surroundings and the company I kept. The women whose stories I share are not merely headlines on the evening news. They are our sisters, many of whom faced betrayal and violence. We cannot simply move on to the next trending topic; we must honor their experiences to help change harmful patterns. It’s essential to educate our children on how to protect themselves from those who wish to cause harm. We must learn to identify those who use charm to manipulate and control through emotional or physical abuse. It’s crucial to remember that not everything that shines is valuable. The stories of our missing Black girls deserve more attention, as they often go overlooked in the media. While we can't control the actions of those with harmful intentions, we can certainly learn from each other's experiences. According to the National Crime Information Center of the FBI, about 33 percent of missing persons are Black, yet this is rarely reflected in news coverage. We must raise awareness about the stories of Black girls who have been mistreated, gone missing, or tragically lost their lives because their lives truly matter. They are real individuals, not just sensationalized news stories. Let’s keep their memories alive. This website was born out of my passion, and I never anticipated how long it would last. I don’t have a team of writers or any financial backing; this project is entirely driven by my own commitment—personally, professionally, emotionally, mentally, and financially. It requires sacrifices, but it’s a labor of love that I believe is worthwhile. I’m thankful for your support and hope the stories of these girls and women resonate with you as they have with me. Like many of you, I juggle a full-time job that takes up much of my time. I