About The Organization

Investing in Black Women. Transforming the South.

Since its inception, BSWC has invested over $7 million in Black women-led organizations across the South, emphasizing leadership development and systemic change.

Our Mission

The mission of the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative is a commitment to enhance and empower Southern Black life, particularly Black Women of all identities. We do this by building sustainable regional spaces—or political homes—where our people can strategize, train, and fundraise together.

Our Vision

The Black Southern Women’s Collaborative is a soft place (a place of full belonging) for Executive Directors’ labor, leadership, brilliance, and fullness as human beings to be centered, honored, and invested. To create a soft place is to create a space where Black Women are protected, vulnerable, and can be our true authentic selves.

Our Mission

The mission of the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative is a commitment to enhance and empower Southern Black life, particularly Black Women of all identities. We do this by building sustainable regional spaces—or political homes—where our people can strategize, train, and fundraise together.

Our Vision

The Black Southern Women’s Collaborative is a soft place (a place of full belonging) for Executive Directors’ labor, leadership, brilliance, and fullness as human beings to be centered, honored, and invested. To create a soft place is to create a space where Black Women are protected, vulnerable, and can be our true authentic selves.

Our Values

A circular quilt-inspired geometric design with orange, purple, pink, navy, and green shapes. At the center is a large square pattern of four blue diamonds set against an orange background, surrounded by triangles and rectangles in contrasting colors. The quilt square design is based on the historical Underground Railroad pattern called Crossroads that means "a safe terminal." This icon is used to illustrate BSWC's value of "voice."

Voice

We center the trusted voices of Black women—including our own—as compass and call. Our lived experience is not up for debate; it is the foundation of our collective liberation.

A geometric quilt block pattern in navy and lavender. The quilt square design is based on the historical Underground Railroad pattern called Jacob's Ladder that means "a route to freedom" and "transcendence." This icon is used to illustrate BSWC's value of "liberation and power."

Liberation and Power

We fight for freedom and the power to transform systems, even when it means wrestling with the tension between our strength and our softness. Both are sacred. Both are necessary.

A geometric quilt block pattern in orange and pink. The quilt square design is based on the historical Underground Railroad pattern called Bow Tie (Hourglass) that means "to form a relationship with someone who would help." This icon is used to illustrate BSWC's value of "belonging."

Belonging

We cultivate spaces where Black women are seen, held, and honored. Belonging means more than inclusion, it’s being known deeply and still chosen.

A geometric quilt block pattern in orange and dark orange. The quilt square design is based on the historical Underground Railroad pattern called Shoofly that means "a liason. a person who might aid in the flight." This icon is used to illustrate BSWC's value of "direct community support"

Direct Community Support

We prioritize showing up for one another with tangible care. Whether it’s resources, presence, or action, we offer what’s needed because our community deserves more than survival.

A geometric quilt block pattern in orange, dark green, dark orange, lavender, and blue. The quilt square design is based on the historical Underground Railroad pattern called Log Cabin that means "an arrival, stay where you are, and dig in." This icon is used to illustrate BSWC's value of "collective support."

Collective Support

We believe in the sacred act of building power together. When we move in alignment, rooted in our people and our place, we reshape the South and everything it touches.

A geometric quilt block pattern in pink, lavender, and dark green. The pattern resembles an eight pointed star. The quilt square design is based on the historical Underground Railroad pattern called Star/Evening Star/North Star that means "let the stars be your compass." This icon is used to illustrate BSWC's value of "abundance mindset."

Abundance Mindset

We reject scarcity. Black women carry a spirit that multiplies. We believe there is more than enough to make our communities whole, and we move accordingly.

Our Mission

The mission of the Black Southern Women’s Collaborative is a commitment to enhance and empower Southern Black life, particularly Black Women of all identities. We do this by building sustainable regional spaces—or political homes—where our people can strategize, train, and fundraise together.

Our Vision

The Black Southern Women’s Collaborative is a soft place (a place of full belonging) for Executive Directors’ labor, leadership, brilliance, and fullness as human beings to be centered, honored, and invested. To create a soft place is to create a space where Black Women are protected, vulnerable, and can be our true authentic selves.

Our Blueprint for a Liberated South

A liberated South is one where Black women are not just surviving, but thriving, leading with vision, holding institutional power, living in safety, and shaping narratives rooted in truth. It looks like our people cared for, our voices respected, and our communities resourced. This blueprint is both a declaration and a roadmap, born from our lived experiences, spiritual wisdom, and generational dreams.

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