Tech leader Microsoft and Black Girls Rock! (BGR!) have announced a strategic partnership to empower more Black girls to become leaders, through access to culturally relevant programmes, leadership development and STEM skills.
The goal of this alliance is to strengthen the transformative work of BGR! with the technology and scale of the Microsoft’s ecosystem. “Microsoft shares Black Girls Rock! commitment to empowering women and girls. We also recognise the challenges facing women, especially Black women, are complex – no one organisation can solve them all. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Beverly and Black Girls Rock! to bring together our efforts to educate and inspire the next generation of innovators,” stated Marcie Nymark, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Microsoft.
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
“It’s remarkable to be championed by a towering institution like Microsoft to propel the work we’ve been doing at Black Girls Rock! to educate, empower and inspire the next generation,” added Beverly Bond, Founder and CEO of the non-profit philanthropic brand BGR! “This partnership gives Black Girls Rock! the support necessary to expand our work to help more girls find their voices, define their truths, and forge the futures they envision.”
BGR! has been dedicated to inspiring, elevating and celebrating Black women and girls since 2006 through content; advocacy and events which elevate women’s voices; and engaging Black girls in critical conversations. The organisation is committed to mentoring, enriching and educating the next generation of young women leaders by giving girls the tools needed to develop leadership skills, refine critical thinking and increase civic engagement. This new collaboration with Microsoft will enable the brand to scale and launch new programmes designed to affirm Black girls and cultivate their leadership potential.
EMPOWERING INITIATIVES
Microsoft continues to facilitate innovation and technology solutions with nonprofits and social entrepreneurs around the world, enabling them to drive greater impact for the causes and communities they serve, as reported. The company will bring a variety of resources, programmes, and tech solutions to support three key initiatives with this non-profit. They include:
BGR! Book Club
The partnership will officially kick-off later this month with the launch of the BGR Book Club. This initiative is designed to promote community, empowerment, literacy and leadership. Each month the book club will select an inspirational thought-provoking text to read and discuss. The author will provide a live virtual interview conducted by a Black Girls Rock! alumna and powered by Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Store will host each book club event; which will be followed by an interactive virtual workshop designed for students and inspired by the book’s core themes and motifs.
Fundraising Gala
The BGR! 15-year fundraising gala will be a core component of the 2021 BGRFEST! in June, featuring a number of musical performances including the Queen of Funk – Chaka Khan. Microsoft will be sponsoring the event; and will be extending the fundraisers’ efforts through its Give with Bing programme.
Leadership Conference
The Black Girls Lead Conference in July will brings together teen girls to participate in workshops, panel discussions and lectures led by world-class educators, artists, business moguls, scientists, entertainers and other influencers. Powered by Microsoft Teams, the conference aims to create a connected community of youth leaders.
The partnership will officially kick-off with the launch of the first BGR! Book Club and workshop on 14 April. The virtual event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information. Microsoft also recently joined forces with Tech4Dev to empower more women and girls with tech skills across Africa. Click here to read more.
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