Black Girl Live by Lilada’s Livingroom

These community awards are critical funds for start-up infrastructure that can result in a long-term return on investment. Providing a safe, virtual place for Black women and girls to gain knowledge and support is so important.

– Lilada Gee, Founder and President of Defending Black Girlhood and Black Women Heal

At a Glance

Lilada’s Livingroom, which provides culturally competent services to Black women and girls, sought to create a virtual safe space for Black girls between the ages of 10 and 17 who are at high risk for suicide and sexual abuse. The project aimed to create a positive online community focused on trauma healing through podcasts, videos and other forms of creative expression like art and poetry. Lilada’s Livingroom successfully launched 50 episodes of a podcast called “Defending Black Girlhood.” Three affirmation, journaling and coloring books that celebrate Black girls were also published and distributed for free within the Madison community.

The Challenge

Black girls are at higher risk of sexual abuse compared to the general population. Girls who experience this trauma are at an increased risk for suicidal ideation and completion and are more likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors and unhealthy relationships. Further, the Centers for Disease Control has found that suicide is the third leading cause of death among Black girls between the ages of 10 and 14.

Lilada’s Livingroom provides culturally competent services to the underserved population of Black women and girls in Madison. Ninety percent of the girls served at Lilada’s Livingroom who have reported suicide attempts or ideation have also reported that they have experienced sexual abuse.

Project Goals

Lilada’s Livingroom sought to create a virtual safe space for Black girls between the ages of 10 and 17 who are at high risk for suicide and sexual abuse. The organization’s goal was to implement prevention and early intervention strategies for sexual assault and suicide, as well as normalizing healing and reaching out for help and provide access to healing where girls are: on social media. The project aimed to create a positive online community focused on trauma healing through podcasts, videos and other forms of creative expression like art and poetry.

Results

The COVID-19 pandemic presented some barriers to this project as it limited the ability to gather in person and at schools. Despite these challenges, this project was able to make progress toward its goals. First, Lilada’s Livingroom successfully launched a podcast called “Defending Black Girlhood” which is committed to highlighting the stories of Black girls and women through 50 recorded episodes. “Defending Black Girlhood” is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify where 98 percent of reviewers have given it a five-star rating. Second, three affirmation, journaling, and coloring books that celebrate Black girls have been published. In lieu of public gatherings, these books have also been distributed to homes for free.