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News Briefs

Empowering Women Leaders: Microsoft and BLACK GIRLS ROCK Join Forces

Tech leader Microsoft and Beverly Bond, founder and CEO of the award-winning women’s empowerment, lifestyle and philanthropic brand BLACK GIRLS ROCK! announced a strategic partnership with the goal of building technology infrastructure and empowering women and more Black girls to become leaders. They receive access to:

  • Culturally relevant programs
  • Leadership development
  • STEM skills

The goal of this alliance is to strengthen the transformative work of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! with the technology and scale of Microsoft’s ecosystem.

Microsoft’s commitment to diversity

“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,” said Beverly Bond. “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.”

BLACK GIRLS ROCK! has been dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and celebrating Black women and girls since 2006. Through the use of the content, advocacy, and events that elevate women’s voices and engage Black girls in critical conversations. The organization 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 programs designed to affirm Black girls and cultivate their leadership potential.

Empowering women

“Microsoft shares BLACK GIRLS ROCK’s commitment to empowering women and girls. We also recognize the challenges facing women, especially Black women, are complex – no one organization 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,” said Marcie Nymark, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Microsoft.

Microsoft continues to facilitate innovation and technology solutions with nonprofits and social entrepreneurs around the world. Thus enabling them to drive greater impact for the causes and communities they serve. The company will bring a variety of resources, programs, and tech solutions to support three key initiatives:

Book club in April

The partnership will officially kick off later this month with the launch of the BGR! Book Club a new initiative 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 join us for 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.

15-year anniversary fundraising gala in June

The BLACK GIRLS ROCK fundraising gala will be a core component of the 2021 BGRFEST! featuring a number of musical performances including The Queen of Funk – Chaka Khan. Microsoft will be the presenting sponsor of the event and will be extending the fundraisers’ efforts through its Give with Bing program. BLACK GIRLS ROCK! will be featured through Give with Bing allowing fans and supporters to give to the nonprofit simply by searching.

Leadership conference in July

The BLACK GIRLS LEAD conference 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. Historically a weeklong, in-person event, demand for the BLACK GIRLS LEAD conference has always surpassed capacity. Powered by Microsoft Teams, the conference can scale exponentially, serving more girls and creating a connected community of youth leaders.

The partnership will officially kick-off with the launch of the first BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Book Club and workshop on April 14, at 12 pm EST/9 am PST featuring Bond’s book BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Owning Our Magic. Rocking Our Truth! and facilitated by BLACK GIRLS ROCK alumna Kathie Duperval. The virtual event is free and open to the public. Register via Microsoft Store events.

For more information, visit https://www.microsoft.com/inculture/black-girls-rock?ocid=AID3031648_QSG_524438

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