We’re excited to introduce you to Black Girls Smile, our nonprofit partner that provides gender-responsive and culturally-affirming mental wellness education, resources, and support geared toward Black women and girls. They were founded in 2012 by their Founder and Executive Director, Lauren Carson.

Read more about Black Girls Smile in our interview below!

Tell us about your organization – what’s your mission, and what does it mean to the community?

Black Girls Smile is an Atlanta-based national nonprofit that focuses on empowering the mental health and wellbeing of Black women and girls.

Can you share some impact stats or comments about the work being done by your organization? 

Black Girls Smile directly over 5000 Black girls and women annually through our Mental Health Literacy programming, wellness workshops and therapy assistance program.

What’s the history of your organization? How and why did it get started?

Black Girls Smile was founded in 2012 in response to the lived experiences of our Founder Lauren Carson and many other Black women and girls with mental health issues and difficulties. BGS’ early mission was to fill the gaps surrounding mental health prevention and early-intervention education, resources and supports geared toward Black women and girls. Today BGS sees our work centered on uplifting and empowering the voices and experiences of Black women and girls at the intersection of mental health and wellness.

What kind of programming do you offer to the community? 

Black Girls Smile offers virtual and in-person programming within schools and community-based. Our programs focus on increasing mental health literacy, increasing access to cultural and gender response care and support, and increasing the use of positive and healthy coping skills and self-care methods.

What problem is your organization trying to solve, and can you tell us more about the issue?

According to the National Institute for Health (NIH), approximately 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14 (NIH, 2019). In September of 2021, NIH also reported that suicide death rates for Black American girls ages 13 to 19 increased by 182% from 2001 to 2017 (NIH, 2021). Black girls and young women have a multitude of primary, direct, and secondary, indirect statistics that speak to the need for mental health resources, support, and education to uplift their mental health and well-being.

How do volunteers support your mission? What impact do they have on your work? What difference do they make?

We can’t do the work we do without volunteers! Each person who serves with us helps us increase the number of women & girls we serve. We have a small team of staff located across the map. Volunteers increase public support for programs, improve community support, increases quality of services & programs, and extends the organization's reach in Atlanta.

What’s your biggest highlight or success from the past year?

Last year BGS served over 5000 Black women and girls! We conducted over 30 workshops, provided therapy to over 100 Black women and girls, and continue to serve our growing community of over 13,000 across the country. We are humbled that our participants, partners and volunteers continue to walk alongside us on this journey toward ensuring Black women and girls have the resources and support necessary to lead mentally healthy lives.

How many volunteers do you need every month, and can you describe the experience of serving with your organization for the volunteer? What do they do? What’s a day in the life as a volunteer with your organization?

At Black Girls Smile, we offer virtual, in-person and partner led experiences. Our volunteer needs can vary based on our calendar of events. A day in the life of a BGS volunteer would start with a welcome from our staff then a quick and easy check in. We review your upcoming tasks and then get started in serving.

What types of projects do you offer? What are your biggest projects available, and needs from volunteers? Tell us about a few different offerings.

Volunteers can engage with us at local special events posted on Hands on Atlanta, support wellness research or connect to our letter writing campaign. We know that handwritten letters can carry a sense of warmth, sincerity & connection as you invest time, effort and positivity into crafting your message. We have begun a letter writing campaign to connect & support the women who participate in our wellness programs. Volunteers can do this from home or with an employee group! Our biggest need is skills based volunteers! If you are interested in the behind the scenes system of how we create premier experience for our women & girls…we need your help! Volunteer your talent to support program creation, event management and research in Atlanta.

Who is your volunteer manager, and what’s their favorite thing about working for your organization?

Charla Denning is our Programming and Volunteer Manager. Charla continues to find creative ways to serve our community of Black women and girls and brings immense intentionality to all aspects of our programming and volunteer experiences.

What’s going to be happening with your organization in 2024 that you’re really excited about?

We are launching several new programs including our suicide prevention program and Allyship programs. Black Girls Smile is working on deepening our school-based partnerships to meet Black girls where they are. We are also expanding our Therapy Assistance program in collaboration with many of our corporate and community partners. Lastly we are providing more in-person experiences for our community of Black women, girls and their caregivers/parents/advocates.

Let’s leave our readers with a list of ways they can jump in and get involved. Tell us how we can support you!

BGS works for and with our strong volunteer community. There are several volunteer opportunities that we are highlighting that would be helpful to our growth and development: 1. Skills-based volunteers 2. Community Champions 3. Programming day-of volunteers