meet our teaM
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
brianna baker, MA
Brianna is a magna cum laude graduate of Spelman College and Teacher's College, Columbia University where she obtained her M.A. in Teaching of Social Studies focused on drawing connections between social studies, social education and social justice. Baker began her career working as a social justice educator in both public and charter school spaces throughout New York City. Her proudest moments as an educator include the implementation of her social justice curriculum and her volunteership at Rikers Island where she taught a course on women’s empowerment and liberation. This work led to the creation of research project authored by 7th grade girls of color entitled, Race, Criminality, Girlhood and Justice examining the makings of criminality around Black girlhood. This work birthed the founding of Justice For Black Girls (JBG) in 2018 purposed to expand global knowledge of the way US based systems of power respond to and perpetuate the abuse of Black girls in schools, in prisons and in protest. The work of JBG focuses on honoring the fullness of Black girlhood in ways that disrupt the systems that dishonor Black girlhood. This work elevates Black girls as the experts while creating space that enables Black girls to imagine a life beyond the confining structures in which they currently live. Ultimately Baker is a social justice teacher, scholar and juvenile justice advocate that is fervent about creating spaces that unconditionally affirm Black girlhood and brilliance.
JBG has become a national voice on the urgency of Black girl safety within and beyond the classroom, archived in the Library of Congress under Protests Against Racism and cited in the White House Roundtable for Girl Leaders. As the visionary and executive director, Brianna’s innovative praxis-based approaches support educators and policymakers alike in ensuring that Black girls are visible beyond their abuse, capable of not only dreaming but defining. Brianna has guest lectured on the intersection of race, gender, youth justice and social justice education at universities across the country, and has spoken on panels alongside leading education scholars, youth advocates and organizations. Brianna has been featured in global campaigns with Nike & McDonalds. Her work has been featured in national publications like MSNBC, Bloomberg, Harper's Bazaar, and the Washington Post. Brianna’s work is both a space for Black girl safekeeping, and a national rallying cry for us all to listen to, love, and affirm Black girls’ genius and power.
She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia.
“Work centering Black girlhood cannot just be about responding to Black girl trauma & death, it must be deeply concerned about Black girlhood in its fullness. It must center Black girl joy, healing and liberation.”
Speaking engagement requests: contact@justiceforblackgirls.com
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE CONTENT
COURTNEY LETT
project & content manager
tiphani swaby
program innovation & education intern,
Mahogany Morris
program innovation & education intern,
Kennedi malone
education & coalitions intern
hermela goshu
Research & education intern
Kilhah st.fort
Grassroots & Community Liaison
Brea Baker
Creative Manager
BRAX Blue BAKER
may you rest in love, power & healing.
12/8/1998 - 11/2/2020
*Braxton is the beloved baby sister of our founder. Her life and legacy infinitely sustains this work.