The Four Women Fund by Blk Girl Culture. Artwork by: D.R Design.
Pictured from left to right: Ashanti Carmon, Audre Lorde, Nina Simone, Sandra Bland.
The Four Women Fund has raised a total of $20,764!
Last updated 8/5/20 at 1:22pm.
About The Four Women Fund
The Four Women Fund was created by Black womxn* in service of Black womxn. This fund offers financial support by giving money directly to Black womxn who, due to COVID-19 and the United States’ current political climate, are experiencing severe financial need.
This fund was created by Blk Girl Culture, an online community of Black womxn and girls. This fund is an extension of the BGC platform. Our fund's board is made up entirely of Black womxn who will assess each application and decide individual grant amounts based upon need. The Four Women Fund's board includes our founder, Makeen Zachery, alongside Zoe Jackson and Hawa Sall.
Why “Four Women”?
The name of our fund was inspired by Nina Simone’s 1966 hit, ‘Four Women,’ which stories the lives and struggles of four different Black women. This song speaks to the extensive legacy of endurance, resourcefulness, and sisterhood of Black womxn. Historically, Black womxn have been innovators and creators of economic lifelines in our community. This fund is designed to continue this legacy.
According to the tradition of numerology, the number four symbolizes stability, the completion of justice, wise and rational energy, and a strong foundation—powerful ideals that we look to in our work, support, and advocacy of Black womxn.
*Please note that the term 'womxn' is an alternative term for the word "women" and is used to to explicitly include both cisgender and non-cisgender women.
Poverty and Inequality Rates by Race and Gender in New York City (New York City Comptroller - 2016)
Why is this fund needed?
We acknowledge that Black womxn’s economic struggles are not necessarily new, but have been exacerbated by our current health, economic, and political climate. For far too long, Black womxn have suffered from severe inequities including discriminatory health care systems, income inequality, and a number of other unjust socio-economic conditions.
This fund was created to fight against these systems by giving money directly to Black womxn; thereby, allowing them to gain access to what they critically need rather than relying on organizations to decide for them.
Who can apply for funds and how?
Black womxn in the United States, especially those who identify as LGBTQ+, are encouraged to apply.
The Four Women Fund is focused on providing assistance to Black womxn who are:
Unemployed
Experiencing housing insecurity/homelessness.
Have limited access to food and/or medicine.
Those with financial dependents under their care.
THE SECOND ROUND OF APPLICATIONS IS NOW OPEN
Last updated 8/5/20 at 1:22pm.
We anticipate having several application rounds. These rounds shall be determined upon available funds. We will announce the closing of application rounds once it has been determined that we have received more than a sufficient number of applications based on the availability of resources. This will allow ample time for our board to thoroughly review each application.
After the awardees of one round have been identified and funded, we will announce the opening of the next round. Awards are grants based on available funding and approved applications.
How Funds Will Be Distributed:
100% of donated funds will go directly to Black womxn in need.
The Board of the Four Women Fund has established a framework that will be used to assess each applicant’s status. Awards of up to $500 will be distributed on the basis of need and availability of funds.
We will work directly with awardees to identify a payment method that best suits their needs.
As awards are granted, we will provide updates on @BlkGirlCulture’s social channels on how funds have been distributed. While we will not reveal the identities of our donors or recipients, we are committed to updating those who’ve generously donated on who we’ve helped.
We’ve distributed $10,000+ directly to Black womxn in need.
Together we’ve been able to assist 30+ Black Womxn in need. 100% of our awardees are Black womxn/gender non conforming. 57% of our awardees are LGBTQ+.
A breakdown of the needs The Four Women Fund has helped to meet thus far.
The Four Women Fund Board:
Founder and Board Member, Makeen Zachery
Makeen Zachery
Makeen is a college student and the creator of Blk Girl Culture and The Four Women Fund. For years she has worked as a researcher, advocate for and proponent of justice for Black womxn. A sociology major at Barnard College, Makeen believes deeply in the power of Black women’s voices and creations. Makeen strives to foster a community of support, knowledge production and sisterhood via Blk Girl Culture.
Hawa Sall
Hawa Sall is a creator from Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn dedicated to capturing the expression of NYC youth through her zine The Concrete Tales. As a student activist attending Columbia University and youth ambassador for Colin Kaepernick's Know Your Rights Camp—Hawa aims to use her voice to help uplift those who may have trouble accessing theirs.
Four Women Fund Board Member, Hawa Sall
Four Women Fund Board Member, Zoe Jackson
Zoe Jackson
Zoe was born and raised in Key West, Florida, and is an incoming junior studying political science at Barnard College. She is 20 years old and comes from a Jamaican-American family. Her passions lie in the realm of social change and advocacy for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals, being a queer Black woman herself. Zoe is grateful to be able to work alongside Makeen and Hawa, two incredible Black women, and is excited to be able to assist folks in need.
For any questions or inquiries, reach us at fourwomenfund@blkgirlculture.com.
The Four Women Fund is a newly formed initiative specifically designed to provide assistance to those with severe economic need. We understand that our initiative is not designed to fulfill all needs, but we deeply believe that every bit helps. We encourage everyone to actively participate and find ways to enhance and empower their community.