Give to Black Girls Stay Lit™

A literacy movement for Black girl excellence, belonging, and well-being

Black Girls Stay Lit™ (BGSL) is a Cincinnati-based, fiscally sponsored after-school and summer literacy program that affirms, supports, and empowers Black girls and gender-expansive youth. Rooted in the Black literary tradition, BGSL engages young people in culturally and gender-sustaining literature, guided writing, and reflective dialogue that strengthen literacy skills, emotional well-being, and a sense of belonging.

Through weekly sessions and community-based programming, participants explore identity, voice, and creativity while developing the critical thinking, communication, and social-emotional skills needed to thrive in school and beyond. BGSL creates spaces where Black girls are seen, heard, and supported—through engagement with culturally and gender-relevant literature and guided writing that together become tools for agency, joy, belonging and connection.

Your gift helps Black Girls Stay Lit™ create affirming literacy spaces where Black girls and gender-expansive youth can reflect, write, connect, and thrive. Donations support books, journals, curriculum materials, facilitator time, and program expansion—ensuring access to culturally sustaining learning experiences that nurture both academic growth and emotional well-being.

Black Girls Stay Lit™ is fiscally sponsored by Community Shares of Greater Cincinnati, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations made through Community Shares on behalf of Black Girls Stay Lit™ are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

As fiscal sponsor, Community Shares is responsible for receiving and administering donated funds in support of BGSL’s charitable mission. The IRS requires disclosure that no goods or services are provided to the donor in exchange for any gift.