Black Women & Gender Expansive Leadership Project

Explore our groundbreaking report that centers the experiences and challenges of Black women and gender-expansive leaders in the Washington metropolitan area. Their narratives and perspectives underscore harmful systemic inequities and illuminate the path to a more equitable future where they can thrive as they lead.
[Black women] are not doing well. Three years into COVID, the racial reckoning of our nation, and the overturning of rights that were seemingly settled is concerning. It feels like our country is moving backward. We’re just not doing well.
- Study Respondent​

executive summary

Black women and gender-expansive leaders continue to be at the forefront of innovation, movement-building, bold leadership, and strategy across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and the county. Yet at the same time, Black women leaders are operating in unprecedented times with mounting barriers and challenges to their leadership – driven by systemic inequities deeply embedded in sectors and systems.

Prompted by the ongoing national dialogue around Black women’s leadership and the unsettling stories about the sector’s failure to adequately support Black women as they lead across the city and surrounding counties, the Washington Area Women’s Foundation stepped in to fill this gap and bolster the leadership of Black women and Black gender-expansive leaders in the region.

Key REPORT Themes

Did you know?

Your support makes a difference!

We believe that creating a more equitable and inclusive future for Black women and gender-expansive leaders in our community is a collective effort. Join us by becoming an early investor in this initiative.
Your support will allow us to implement the solutions outlined in this report and contribute to building the infrastructure and support needed for their success.

GET INVOLVED

Become an early investor today! Your financial contribution will directly support this initiative to break down systemic barriers and build a stronger infrastructure for Black women and gender-expansive leaders in our region. Make a donation, here.

To donate by check or money order, our mailing address is:
Washington Area Women’s Foundation
712 H Street NE, Suite 1099
Washington, DC 20002

Tax ID: 52-2028612

Questions? Please contact us at info@wawf.org.

Use your voice and influence to help us raise awareness about and advocate for this new initiative. Download and share our report on social media and within your networks to help foster community engagement. Your voice can be a powerful force for change.

Questions? Please contact us at info@wawf.org.

We value your support!

For questions or inquiries about how you can get involved or if you’d like more information about our report please contact us at info@wawf.org.

We’re here to answer your questions and discuss how you can be a part of this transformative initiative.

Media inquiries

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Sarah Weatherby
Director of Communications